Ukrainian MPs demand investigation into alleged media censorship

Ukrainian MPs and journalists this Thursday called for an investigation into a scandal involving alleged censorship at the state news agency Ukrinform, which raises questions about press freedom in the context of the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian media accuse the former director of Ukrinform, Alexei Matsuko, of pursuing an editorial policy exclusively in support of the government of President Vladimir Zelensky to the detriment of any opposition voice.

Doubts about the impartiality of the Ukrainian state news agency have been heightened by Matsuki’s recent replacement with military spokesman Sergei Cherevaty, to the point that there have been increasing calls for prosecutors to intervene and open an investigation.

“I am preparing appropriate appeals to be submitted to the National Council on Radio and Television and the Prosecutor General’s Office,” Yaroslav Yurchichin, who heads the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said on social networks.

In a conversation with the French news agency AFP, he also said that the investigation will determine whether presidential government officials put pressure on the media to “tighten control” over the information space.

“Pressure on journalists is a crime,” said another deputy, Irina Gerashchenko.

According to the Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper, Matsuki’s resignation came after Western embassies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia learned of how Ukrinform was being run, but his replacement by an army representative was met with skepticism.

Censorship is a sensitive issue in Ukraine, which has promised reforms, particularly on press freedom, as part of its ambitions to join the European Union and NATO.

The NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) notes that the state has become a “central media player” since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Many other media outlets, particularly television channels, are owned by private groups.