The IPI global network today condemns the apparent campaign to intimidate and discredit journalist Olena Mudra, which began after she published a series of investigative articles on a wind farm project in a protected natural area in the Zakarpattya region in southwest Ukraine.
Mudra, who works for local outlet Zakarpattya Online, first reported the intimidation against her in early June. She was initially targeted by several local websites in the region, which published false information about her activities. She has since been targeted repeatedly – including with the use of AI to impersonate a family member who spread false information about the journalist.
On June 27 Mudra filed a complaint with police for obstruction of her activities as a journalist. Attacks against the journalist have since increased.
“The recent campaign against Olena Mudra is deeply alarming both in terms of the technology used and sophistication of these attacks,” Karol Łuczka, IPI Eastern Europe Advocacy Lead, said. “Mudra appears to be the target of an extensive, coordinated campaign to smear her work as a journalist and to discredit and undermine her investigations.
“We urge Ukrainian law enforcement to carry out a full investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for these attacks. All journalists have the right to carry out their work freely, safely, and without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
While police have since opened a criminal case to investigate Mudra’s complaint, they have not disclosed whether any suspects potentially responsible for this intimidation campaign have been identified.