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Cherkasy Journalists Flee Persecution

20 July, 00:00

Some flee, others use fire extinguishers By Yevhen BRUSLYNOVSKY, The Day Already the first session of the government freedom of expression commission set up recently under the auspices of Cherkasy City Council made it clear that local journalists were suffering from pressure from the powers that be. Valery Vorotnyk, editor of the regional newspaper Antena (which quite often carries rather critical articles), shares his impressions from meetings with the local tax authorities. He was summoned to an office and began to be threatened with a non-existent case in which he was allegedly involved. Tired of ungrounded accusations hurled in his face, Mr. Vorotnyk rose to leave but was stopped with a tax inspector's fist driven hard into his chest. He fell. Others in the room got panicky at this turn of events, so the editor got up and fled. Valentyn Selezen, manager of Cherkasy's UTS-Center Television Co. related how his staff woman journalist Natalia Andropova is being persecuted by the local authorities. After her Presidential Marathon program went on the air, featuring Yevhen Marchuk's visit as a presidential candidate, she received anonymous threats by phone for several days, and then, at 3 p.m., someone hurled a burning box through her apartment window and the fire (and much worse consequences) was prevented by sheer miracle.

Anatoly Dzhabolda, head of the newly formed commission, secretary of Cherkasy City Council, told The Day that this structure had to be formed due to a serious collision between regional authorities and the media, breaches of the tax laws, and growing Presidential Administration pressure on power structures; after all, one had to protect the populace, journalists included. However, Mr. Dzhabolda believes that his commission lacks the means to influence the local situation, except making public facts of persecution and supporting victims during court hearings. Thus local journalists, to preserve their health, will have to take to jogging, equip themselves with fire extinguishers, and spend sleepless nights sitting behind locked doors and windows, waiting for another provocation. Incidentally, it became known that Natalia Andropova visited a local meat-and-vegetable market and bought a portable fire extinguisher. If the worst comes to worst, she will be able to put out the fire and protect herself against physical assault.

Cherkasy

Newspaper output №:

№27, (1999)

Section

Day After Day