RELEVANT PROBLEMS OF PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN THE FIELD OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF JOURNALISTS

Abstract

The author has analyzed the current criminal and criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine regulating the protection of the rights, freedoms and legal interests of journalists in exercising their professional activities, which is used during the pre-trial investigation to assess the committed crimes in this area, as well as other laws on the above mentioned and other issues. Some inconsistencies, disadvantages, gaps and unsettled issues, in particular the journalistic activity itself, and directly the pre-trial investigation, which take place in the current legislation, have been revealed. The said negatively affects the timely registration, qualification and the state of pre-trial investigation of crimes committed in order to counteract the professional activities of journalists and in general, the authority of both law enforcement and other state agencies. Propositions for improving the regulatory base on these issues have been provided.

The author has also provided propositions to improve the interaction of journalists with pre-trial investigation agencies in order to use the acquired information and evidence by journalists for successful and effective use in the investigation of criminal proceedings of such a category, as well as in order to protect their rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, up to court hearings. The court practice concerning the consideration of criminal proceedings (cases) on the studied category of crimes has been analyzed and the relevant propositions according to the established research results have been provided. Besides, the author has presented suggestions regarding the recognition of victims journalists themselves, along with close relatives of journalists, in certain categories of criminal offenses. The peculiarities of collection, recording, evaluation of evidence and carrying out certain investigative actions in the area of antiterrorist operation have been established. Besides, the author has provided recommendations for training journalists for law enforcement agencies at higher educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, as well as conducting introductory optional courses on legal profession for working journalists.