The editorial board of one of Ukraine’s most respected media outlets, Ukrayinska Pravda, has accused President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office of launching an "ongoing and systematic pressure" campaign against it that threatens the independence of its work.
In a statement released on October 9, the publication accused President Zelenskiy’s administration of attempting to influence editorial policy and individual journalists.
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Ukrayinska Pravda alleged that government officials are hindering its work by blocking interviews, pressuring businesses to withdraw advertising, and initiating "emotionally-charged communication" between President Zelenskiy and its journalist, Roman Kravets, during an August press conference.
“These and other nonpublic signals suggest attempts to influence our editorial policy,” the statement said, adding that such actions are particularly alarming during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when journalistic independence is critical.
The editorial board warned that any further efforts to sway reporting would be publicly exposed and "will have consequences at the international level."
Zelenskiy’s office has yet to comment on the allegations. RFE/RL reached out to his press office for comments on the newspaper’s allegations, but did not receive any.
Sevhil Musayeva, Ukrayinska Pravda’s editor-in-chief, has previously claimed that the President’s Office tried to block advertising on the media outlet's website and that the publication’s owner has resisted offers to sell it, which she described as part of the pressure campaign.
Ukrayinska Pravda was founded by Heorhiy Gongadze, a prominent Ukrainian journalist.
Gongadze gained international attention after his abduction and murder in 2000, which many believe was politically motivated.
His death sparked protests and became a symbol of the fight for a free press in Ukraine.
Ukrayinska Pravda continues to play a significant role in Ukrainian journalism under the ownership of Czech businessman Tomas Fiala.