The Supreme Court banned naming suspects: what will change for the media.

Challenges for journalists due to the Supreme Court's decision

According to inkorr.com: In September, the Supreme Court made a ruling that significantly complicates the activities of journalists and public figures in criminal cases. This was reported by lawyer and media expert Yevhen Vorobyov.

According to this ruling, the media is prohibited from disclosing the name and surname of a suspect or accused until a verdict is issued, even if the person is already known to the public and holds great social significance. This is related to Article 296 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, which prohibits the use of personal data without the person's consent until the verdict becomes legally binding.

"If we follow the logic of the court itself, Article 28 of the Civil Code of Ukraine states that the name consists of the first name and last name, but there was no patronymic, meaning this issue does not pertain to 'the right to a name', but falls within the scope of personal data protection"

Vorobyov noted that this decision has significant legal issues and emphasized that the Supreme Court did not take into account the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. This court has clearly articulated the responsibilities of courts, considering various aspects of publishing names of suspects and accused individuals, including public interest and the consequences of disclosure.

The Supreme Court's ruling creates serious barriers for journalistic activities, complicating the coverage of criminal cases and violating the principles of public information dissemination to society.

This decision raises concerns among media representatives and human rights defenders, who are worried about the beginning of a new era in restricting freedom of speech. In realities where information transparency is a prerequisite for a democratic society, every restriction can have far-reaching consequences for a free press and civil society in Ukraine.