Zelensky approves composition of council on freedom of speech

The decree to that effect, No. 808/2019, has been was published on the website of the head of state.

"To create the Council on Freedom of Speech and Protection of Journalists as a consultative and advisory body under the President of Ukraine," the document reads.

It notes that the council was created "with the aim of ensuring the observance of the constitutional right to freedom of speech, establishing effective interaction between state bodies, media outlets, civil society institutions, in particular, in order to prevent the obstruction of the legitimate professional activity of journalists."

The president also approved the provision on the council and its staff.

"The main tasks of the council are to formulate proposals for the protection of the information space in the interests of information security of Ukraine, to ensure the exercise of citizens' rights to freedom of expression and to obtain objective, reliable information, as well as to ensure the guarantees of the legitimate professional activity of journalists," the provision reads.

The council includes the council's secretary, public figure Vadym Misky, lawyer Oleksandr Burmahin, journalist, producer Natalia Vlashchenko, lawyer Iryna Horodetska, journalist Natalia Humeniuk, public figure Diana Dutsyk, producer Pavlo Yelizarov, journalist Maksym Krechetov, public figure Tetiana Lebedeva, journalist, editor Svitlana Ostapa, editor Liudmyla Pysanko, public figure Tetiana Popova, public figure, journalist Serhiy Tomilenko, lawyer, public figure Taras Shevchenko, and public figure Serhiy Shturkhetsky.

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