FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY - Article 19

ARTICLE 19GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR FREE EXPRESSIONRadio Free Europe, Radio Canada and The Voice of America. Many radio stations broadcast onlymusic.The number of Internet users in Ukraine was estimated in 2006 as slightly over 5 million outof a population of 46 million. 25 The number is rapidly rising, but Internet use is still largely confinedto the wealthy. The government does not restrict access to the Internet and overall it has been animportant channel for free expression. For example, Ukrainska Pravda, a publication critical of thegovernment, operates through the Internet.However, a number of problems persist. There have been cases of intimidation of journalists,including beatings, threats and arson, particularly following reports on corruption. 26 These increasedin 2006 compared to 2005. 27 Some journalists have also been denied access to press conferences. 28Both the private and State media tend to avoid sensitive subjects for fear of reprisals, such as lawsuitsor withdrawal of financial support. Ukraine’s distribution system remains problematic and dependenton the national postal service. 29 Although awards for damages in defamation cases have decreased, asnoted above, some cases still end with disproportionate sentences or are used to silence the media.Ukraine does not have a public service broadcaster. 30& 0 1/ 2 According to surveys carried out by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences, 31Ukrainians tend to have a negative view of environmental conditions in the areas where they live.25 Central Intelligence Agency, see note 20.26 US Department of State, see note 13.27 According to figures of the Institute for Mass Information, reported in: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ),Attacks on the Press in 2006, Europe and Central Asia, http://www.cpj.org/attacks06/europe06/ukr06.html.However, overall there was a marked decrease of harassment cases compared to the situation in 2004, prior tothe Orange Revolution.28 Ibid.29 Ibid.30 A law on public service broadcasting was passed in 1997, but additional provisions were needed for it to beimplemented. This was never done. In 2005, a new law was compiled. The process is ongoing.31 This survey was carried out within the framework of a study entitled Ukrainian Society: Opinions,Assessments and Living Conditions of the Population. This representative study is conducted annually since1994 by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences. Primary data is collected by polling anaverage of 1,800 people in their areas of residence and has a margin of error of 2%. All figures in this section aredrawn from this study.For Internal Use Only. Is Post-Chornobyl Ukraine Ready for Access to Environmental Information?ARTICLE 19, London, 2007+%