Several dozen journalists quit opposition network amidst conflict

More than 30 journalists and editors of the TVi television network announced on Apr. 29 that they are resigning their jobs. They had been on strike after a management conflict that ignited on April 23 after a change of the network’s ownership. The staffers said they decided to quit after a leading news anchor received an ultimatum not to broadcast, and they expect more defectors.

Zenon Zawada: TVi was Ukraine’s leading opposition television network which led the media market in its exposure of government corruption, disturbing the administration of President Viktor Yanukovych. A conflict in management, has cast doubt on its future corruption-exposing activity. In the geopolitical context, TVi’s disappearance from the Ukrainian news market will become yet the newest hurdle to emerge for Ukraine in its Association Agreement talks. While the government will portray the TVi conflict as a private affair, it’s well-recognized that significant changes in ownership in Ukraine don’t occur without government approval. The TVi incident only worsens Ukraine’s negotiating position with the EU, we believe.