WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States has called on Ukraine to take into account the importance of the press freedom in a democratic society when reviewing its sanctions lists, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday.
"As Ukrainian government continues to review the lists, we encourage it to keep in mind the importance of unfettered and factual journalism in a democratic society," Kirby said.
A number of foreign media outlets and organizations, including the BBC, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have condemned Kiev’s move, saying it violates media freedom.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Secretary Svyatoslav Tseholko said later on Thursday that the British, German and Spanish journalists had been removed from the list.
Kirby stated the United States believe all governments should uphold free expression, and welcomed Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s decision to swiftly lift the travel ban on some of the journalists.
"We recognize that more than 30 individuals remain banned from travel to Ukraine for a variety of reasons, including illegally entering the country," Kirby noted.
He emphasized, however, that Washington recognizes the Ukrainian government has serious concerns about the "intense propaganda campaign waged by Russia’s state-controlled media and a possible impact the propaganda could have on the country’s future."
On Wednesday, Poroshenko signed a decree sanctioning 90 entities and barring more than 400 people from entering Ukraine for one year, including several high-ranking individuals and journalists. In addition to the year-long entry bans, the sanctions also stipulate asset freezes of the sanctioned entities and individuals.
