The United States has expressed concern over reports of pressure on journalists in Ukraine.
Speaking at the Institute of World Policy in Kyiv, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft said there have been “troubling reports of pressure on journalists" in the country.
He also said that some media companies in the country practice self-censorship, which, he said, "is equally destructive to the principle of press freedom."
Although Ukraine experienced some gains in liberties after the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukrainian media freedom groups have complained about growing censorship since President Viktor Yanukovych came to power in February.
Tefft said the United States hopes that Ukraine's government "will take action when freedom of the press is threatened," adding, “there should be no going back to the old system of government pressure on journalists and media companies.”
compiled from agency reports
Speaking at the Institute of World Policy in Kyiv, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft said there have been “troubling reports of pressure on journalists" in the country.
He also said that some media companies in the country practice self-censorship, which, he said, "is equally destructive to the principle of press freedom."
Although Ukraine experienced some gains in liberties after the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukrainian media freedom groups have complained about growing censorship since President Viktor Yanukovych came to power in February.
Tefft said the United States hopes that Ukraine's government "will take action when freedom of the press is threatened," adding, “there should be no going back to the old system of government pressure on journalists and media companies.”
compiled from agency reports
