The parliament has registered draft law No. 14057, which proposes to amend the Civil Code of Ukraine. The document was initiated by a group of deputies led by Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The bill provides for increased liability for the dissemination of "false information" and establishes a new procedure for its refutation. Experts and media representatives emphasize that if adopted, the document could seriously restrict freedom of speech.
One of the key rules is the automatic recognition of information as unreliable unless it is confirmed by a court conviction. This will effectively make journalistic investigations into corruption or criminal schemes impossible, as legal proceedings in Ukraine often last for years.
The draft also establishes the “right to be forgotten.” This means that any person can demand the deletion of information, even true information, if it has “lost relevance” or “is of public interest.” At the same time, the text of the draft law lacks clear criteria for defining these concepts, which could create a wide field for abuse.
A separate section concerns compensation for moral damage. The initiative allows for lawsuits to be filed even due to value judgments or the "unpleasant tone" of publications, which, according to lawyers, can significantly increase pressure on the media.
Thus, the adoption of Bill No. 14057 may change the rules of work for journalists in Ukraine and significantly restrict freedom of speech, causing concern both in the media community and among human rights activists.
