Representatives of mass media will be brought to responsibility for divulging the information with the restricted access

By the words of the USS head Vladimir Pristayko, several days ago the Supreme Rada adopted the law, which would extend the authorities of the USS in the sphere of the protection of state secrets. According to this law, editors of mass media will be brought to responsibility for divulging the information with the restricted access. This provision aroused the negative reaction of the representatives of the International federation of journalists.

In 2001-2003 the USS officers investigated 28 criminal cases connected with the violation of the law on the protection of state secrets. In the current year two officials have been brought to responsibility for similar offences. 19 cases more were connected with the loss of objects and documents related to state secrets.

Representatives of mass media have not been involved in such cases yet.

(«Fakty», No. 124, 15 July 2003)