Current issues of criminal liability for interfering with the professional activities of journalists

Abstract

This article examines the issue of improving criminal legislation regarding criminal liability for obstructing the professional activities of journalists and the issue of adequate protection of freedom of mass information is impossible without a comprehensive reform of criminal legislation and legislation on mass media. It is noted about the need for reform and law enforcement practice with mandatory consideration of the requirements of international standards. It is noted that the protection of the professional activity of journalists and the right of citizens to receive important information in a timely manner is possible only on the basis of a system of interrelated norms of criminal legislation, legislation on mass media and laws providing for citizens' access to information.
 The draft law aimed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to strengthen the protection of journalists, their close relatives and their family members from the use of threats or violence in connection with journalists' legitimate professional activities, as well as in the event of obstruction of their legitimate professional activities, is analyzed.
 Legal inaccuracies regarding the definition of the victim, different approaches to the definition of concepts and terms, lists, which entail certain inconsistencies in the qualification of criminal offenses related to obstructing the professional activities of journalists, lead to problems of bringing guilty persons to criminal responsibility. It is noted that the protection of the professional activities of journalists and the right of citizens to receive important information in a timely manner is possible only on the basis of a system of interrelated norms of criminal legislation, legislation on mass media and laws providing for citizens' access to information. The opinion is expressed that such activities will need to be strengthened after martial law.