Statement regarding threats to Kateryna Sergatskova, the editor-in-chief of “Zaborona” media outlet

We, media and human rights organizations, including members of the Media Movement “MediaRukh”, categorically condemn the pressure and death threats to Kateryna Sergatskova, the editor-in-chief of “Zaborona” media outlet. We are also deeply shocked by the information that the journalist was forced to leave Kyiv as a result of this pressure and threats, including from right-wing radicals, as well as because of a mass bullying in social networks.

Extremely outrageous is the fact that the pressure on the journalist began after a post on a social network, in which a photo of her 5-year-old child, and a photo of her possible apartment, were published, and in fact the post inspired threats and bullying.

We believe that the quality of journalistic materials should be the subject of a thorough professional discussion, with the participation of self-regulatory organizations such as the Commission on Journalism Ethics, the Independent Media Council — but in no way should it lead to calls for revenge, death threats, prevent the work of journalists.

We call on law enforcement agencies to immediately intervene in the situation and protect the journalist and her family.

The statement is open for signing by other organizations and media, communicate your signing via info@detector.media

Institute of Mass Information

Detector Media

StopFake

ZMINA

Human Rights Platform

Donetsk Institute of Information

Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group