The Media Movement, as well as Ukraine's media and human rights NGOs call on the Verkhovna Rada deputies to not support the draft bill No. 10242 in its current version. This draft bill poses significant threats to freedom of speech, the work of journalists, and the protection of journalists' sources and whistleblowers in Ukraine, says their joint address.

The draft bill expands and introduces criminal liability (8 years in prison) for publicly disclosing confidential data from public registers during martial law. At the same time, the draft bill provides no protection mechanisms for those who report on confidential data of public interest.

The authors of the address believe that the draft bill creates a tool that may be exploited to persecute journalists. Namely, it enables wiretapping and surveillance of journalists by the government.

“Under the guise of combating ‘data abuse,’ a tool is being created that may be exploited to persecute journalists reporting on corruption schemes or abuse of office. Examples of investigations whose authors may be prosecuted under the provisions of this draft bill include reporting on the schemes for men to illegally leave abroad during martial law or on the dubious wealth of prosecutors,” the address says.

The authors of the statement call on international organizations and human rights activists to join the assessment of this bill and speak out about its impact on freedom of speech in Ukraine.