CROWDVOICE

Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovich, has continually claimed to uphold the tenents that contribute to an open society. In actuality, since taking power in 2010, he has continually infringed upon the right to free expression, particularly when it comes to the press and media. The political situation did improve following the state's 2004 Orange Revolution that helped usher in increased political freedoms. However, since Yanukovich took office, there has been increased pressure, intimidation, harassment, and threats to journalists, civil society activists, and other media outlets. One notable journalist, Vasyl Klymentyev, for example, disappeared in 2010 as he was working on an investigative piece regarding Ukraine's political corruption; he is presumed to be dead.