TSN journalists decry censorship on 1+1 TV channel

“We were banned to cover certain topics and events. Our footage criticizing the existing regime is edited out for political reasons. The final decision on airing footage is taken not by editors and not even by the TSN chief editor but by 1+1 general director,” the letter runs.
The last straw, journalists continue, was TSN’s final bulletin on May 2 in which footage on clashes in Verkhovna Rada between the opposition and ruling majority was edited out.
 “We do not side with the opposition. We express our personal political views outside our footage. However, we believe that the views of each party in the conflict must be reported to our viewers,” the journalists say.  
A bold effort by our colleague Myroslav Otkovych to speak up against censorship triggered off accusations of bias and lack of professionalism from Anna Herman, Yanukovych deputy chief of staff, the letter runs.
 “We do not wish to be pocket journalists and spin-writers. The freedom of expression is no mere words for us – it is the basis of our profession. That is why we strongly disagree with the encroachments on the freedom of expression,” the letter goes on.
We demand that censorship on the TSN be stopped together with instructions and temnyks on what to report about. We demand that the basic principles of journalism – impartiality, balanced approach and neutrality - be reinstated on the TSN channel,” the journalists stress. 
If their demands are ignored, the journalists threaten to go on a one-day preventive strike.
In addition, the journalists will now make public all cases of censorship.
 “We appeal to our colleagues. We know that we are not the only ones who suffer from muzzling. We know how difficult it is to take the first bold step. In 2004, we had enough courage to take a similar step. We overcame our fears then and said “NO!” to censorship.”
 “We are faced with the loss of our profession, confidence of our readers and the country where we and our children want to live.
We call on you to unite and defend the standards of our profession.
We must show to them that those who value the freedom of expression are many. We are strong because we are united,” the letter ends.
The open letter was signed by TSN journalists Hryhory Zhyhalov, Serhy Kudymov, Salomeya Vitvytska, Margaryta Sytnyk, Svetlana Berezovska, Borys Ivanov. Tetyana Kovalenko, Jean Novoseltsev, Julianna Saukh, Inna BOndar, Ihor Bondarenko, and anchorpersons Olexy Lykhman, Julia Borysko, Ilona Dovhan and Vitaly Hajdukevych.