Watchdog urges Zelensky to halt media intimidation, ensure press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 19 to ensure press freedom in Ukraine and hold accountable those who intimidate journalists. This follows growing concerns about government actions that reportedly obstruct the work of media outlets, including online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. In a letter, the CPJ highlighted a troubling […]
Hungarians protest 'ruling party propaganda,' demand more media freedom
Thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest on Oct. 5 to demand greater press freedom and a halt to what they called a "propaganda factory" run by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. The protests, launched outside of the building of the state-owned MTVA media company, were organized by Hungary's leading opposition figure and head of […]
Ukrainian prisoners prepare to fight Russians for a chance at freedom
Several months ago, most of these infantrymen were serving their sentences behind bars. Now, they are part of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion, known as "Da Vinci." The Kyiv Independent spent a day with the unit, learning about what motivates former prisoners to become soldiers and what challenges their command faces in making them effective […]