The IWMF Calls on Ukraine to Drop Investigation of Anna Babinets

May 12, 2020 – Anna Babinets, the International Women’s Media Foundation’s (IWMF) 2019 Courage in Journalism Award winner, has been summoned by the Ukrainian police for questioning on Wednesday, May 13, regarding a groundless complaint on privacy of correspondence. The IWMF condemns the Ukrainian government’s unfounded investigation into Slidstvo.info and Babinets, the chief editor of the media outlet.

Babinets is a journalist of integrity, not a criminal.

As the recipient of the IWMF’s prestigious Courage in Journalism Award, Babinets’ work was recognized for its groundbreaking investigations of government corruption and her perseverance in pursuit of the truth. Ukrainian authorities have used this investigation to undermine Babinets’ and Slidstvo.info – a direct attack on press freedom.

When journalistic voices are threatened and intimidated, democracy suffers. The IWMF calls on Ukrainian authorities to drop this pre-trial investigation of Babinets and Slidstvo.info immediately, and to allow journalists to work freely without fear of retaliation or harassment.