Reporters at the Kiev-based Unian news agency posted a statement on their web site complaining that since the appointment of new executive director, Vasyl Yurychko, in September 2002, editorial integrity was suffering.
The Ukraine Parliament has now agreed to hold hearings on the issue as soon as December. Secretary for the RADA committee for freedom of speech and information, MP Mykola Bahrayey, added that "the existence of political censorship in some mass media must be proved".
RFE/Radio Liberty reported that the journalists said: "People representing the political interests of the authorities - in particular, those of the administration of the president of Ukraine - are interfering with journalistic matters at the agency."
They also warned that they will go on strike if "the situation does not change and if the authorities continue to grossly interfere with Unian's editorial policy".
Workers from across the Ukrainian media have also formed a new working group to create an independent journalists' trade union in response to increasing official pressure. The group plans to provide legal and financial help to members who lose their jobs as a result speaking out.
Meanwhile in Russia one reporter has disappeared, another was found murdered and six more beaten in a wave of violence against independent journalists in the region of Penza, 700km south east of Moscow.
Reporters sans Frontieres secretary-general Robert Ménard has written to Russia's chief prosecutor, Vladimir Ustinov, asking that the deaths be fully investigated.
Sources:
www.indexonline.org/indexindex/20021009_ukraine.shtml
www.indexonline.org/indexindex/20021003_ukraine.shtml
www.unian.net/eng/news/free/
www.indexonline.org/indexindex/20021002_russia.shtml
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