Ukraine bans Brüno
The Ukranian Culture and Tourism Ministry has banned distribution of Sacha Baron Cohen’s new comedy film Brüno on the grounds that it is “too controversial and likely to offend”.
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Ukraine bans pornography
On 30 June, the Ukranian president Viktor Yushchenko, approved a law to make the possession of pornography a criminal offence. Punishment will include a fine and imprisonment of up to three years. The law has one loophole, specifying that pornography can be used for “medical reasons”.
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Death of witness halts Ukrainian journalist murder case
A key witness in the murder case of investigative journalist Georgiy Gongadze who was found beheaded in 2000, died yesterday after six years in a coma, having never been questionned by officials. Three former police officers were convicted of carrying out the murders allegedly on the orders of senior government officials. Read more here
Institute of Mass Information (IMI)
The Institute of Mass Information is an organisation that researches mass information in modern society. IMI’s objectives include defending freedom of speech, supporting Ukrainian mass media, training Ukrainian journalists, and monitoring the rights of journalists and media.