BBC apologizes to Poroshenko for defamatory news report

The British Broadcasting Corp. announced on March 28
it has apologized to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and agreed to pay
compensation for its news report alleging that he arranged a bribe to extend a
meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s personal lawyer at the time,
Michael Cohen (who has since been convicted of unrelated criminal charges), was reported to have received a
secret payment of at least USD 400K to fix talks between the two presidents. As
its source, the BBC cited anonymous sources in Kyiv close to those involved.
The BBC didn’t confirm the compensation amount.

“In our news program News at Ten, and also in an article
published online on May 23, 2018, we incorrectly alleged that President of
Ukraine Petro Poroshenko arranged, or allowed the arrange of a corrupt/illegal
payment of USD 400K to Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen in order
for an earlier arranged short meeting between Messrs. Poroshenko and Trump was
expanded into more substantive negotiations,” a BBC lawyer said.

As the Presidential Administration’s response,
Spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko urged the 1+1 television network, owned by Igor
Kolomoisky, to follow the BBC’s example and also apologize for its March 24
news report. Recall, Poroshenko announced he is filing a defamation lawsuit
against the 1+1 network for its news report, on the eve of the first round
presidential vote, alleging that he has bribed MPs, engaged in illegal
financial schemes, conduct illicit trade with Russia, as well as committing
similar crimes in Moldova in the 1990s and 2000s, including conspiring to
murder his brother. In response, the 1+1 network said its report is based on
facts and evidence.

Zenon Zawada: It’s very timely that this apology comes on the eve of the critical
first-round vote in the presidential elections. It helps to polish Poroshenko’s
image, which has been sullied heavily in recent weeks, but it’s not significant
enough to affect the election results. Such incidents enhance the
responsibility of Ukrainian journalists, which has been impressive regardless.