The new media law: Yurchyshyn explains whether media are obliged to delete critical comments from readers

15 January 14:14

MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn has denied information that draft law No. 11321 could restrict freedom of speech and force the media to delete critical comments from their readers, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

It should be noted that on January 14, the Verkhovna Rada passed a bill that provides for the opening of parliamentary committee meetings to journalists, media workers, and representatives of NGOs.

Information was spread on social media that the adopted bill states that the media are obliged to delete negative comments from readers about politicians and officials.

The initiator of the draft law, Yurchyshyn, explained that he was amending draft law 11321, emphasizing that “no one will oblige the media to remove comments critical of anyone.”

“Responding to dozens of comments and news: we are strengthening the protection of honest media, not restricting either media or users. No one will oblige the media to remove comments critical of anyone. As well as any comments without legal grounds. A number of media outlets have spread information that draft law No. 11321 allegedly restricts freedom of speech and introduces penalties for the media if they do not remove “negative comments from readers about officials under the news.” This is a lie, I’m explaining it on my fingers,” Yurchyshyn wrote.

The MP explained that before the adoption of the bill, the media could complain to the National Council or sue for disseminating false information if an account left a comment under the material.

“The court is a lot of time and money, as well as a threat to the image of the media,” said the MP.

According to the new provisions of the draft law, the media will have the right to decide on the fate of comments after the court proceedings are opened and a court decision is received.

“The media can either delete such a comment within three days of receiving information from the court and not be held liable for it, or, sharing the commentator’s position, leave the comment and defend their position in court,” he explained.

Another important change envisaged by the draft law concerns the possibility for the media to paraphrase officials’ statements without direct quotation, which currently sometimes leads to lawsuits due to inaccurate or incomplete quotation. The MP noted that such changes will allow the media to disseminate information more easily and safely without fear of lawsuits.

“Now the media can really suffer from lawsuits if they do not quote a person directly, but pass on the words. Although the essence does not change. Instead, we propose that the media should facilitate the way they convey information so that they can indirectly convey the essence of a public figure’s statement. And to be protected from lawsuits in this case,” added Yurchyshyn.

At the end of his commentary, the MP drew attention to the fact that spreading false information about the draft law may be beneficial to those who regularly file lawsuits to protect their reputation.

“You know the name of one of these former officials well. It is much easier for him to work with the courts than with the National Council. Therefore, I would not be surprised if Portnov’s name is somehow involved in the channels of distribution of this manipulation,” he said.

Yurchyshyn emphasized that during the drafting of the bill, consultations were held with key media protection organizations, and they supported the introduction of additional protection for journalists.

Остафійчук Ярослав
Editor