Ukrainian parliament approved  statement on value of freedom of speech in the conditions of war,  state will support honest journalists and independent mass media, - Knyazhytsky

"Parliament supported my initiative with colleagues and adopted a statement on the value of freedom of speech, guarantees for journalists and media during martial law," Knyazhytsky wrote.

Deputy reminded about strong influence of the media on society and how occupiers and collaborators are primarily trying to limit the receipt of truthful information by Ukrainians.

"During this phase of the war, we saw how  Russian media set society up in a state where millions are ready to kill people just because they are Ukrainians. We saw missile strikes on Ukrainian TV towers in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Rivne as part of Russia's military tactics. Unfortunately, we have also seen "our" collaborators, "appointed" by  occupiers as "mayors" of the occupied Ukrainian cities, who first turn off Ukrainian TV channels after their "appointment". As it was in Melitopol, we also see collaborators of another type who sat in  RRT Concern just as occupiers in Melitopol doing the same, pro-Ukrainian TV channels are being cut off from digital television, "Kniazhytskyi wrote.

 Deputy said that interference in work of journalists should be received by  police, and those involved in such actions should be held accountable.

"In its statement, Ukrainian parliament clearly stressed that Ukraine has no right to copy the totalitarian practices of  aggressor state. Any illegal attempts to interfere in work of journalists and  media, any crimes against journalists or cases of technical shutdown of pro-Ukrainian TV channels should be Under martial law, state will support honest journalists and independent media, which is part of any democratic society, which is, of course, the society of Ukraine. Parliament also called county and law enforcement agencies to ensure protection of rights of journalists and  media during martial law, to respond immediately to relevant allegations of violations of their rights and to guarantee freedom of speech as one of the most important features of a democratic society”, Kniazhytskyi wrote.