Natalya Dymytruk, a 47-year-old mother of two who works as a translator for the deaf on the Ukraine’s state-run TV channel, assumed she was making her final broadcast last Thursday when she decided to deviate from the official script. As a colleague read the heavily censored official version of events, Mrs Dymytruk did what her conscience told her, and signed to deaf viewers that they were being told a pack of lies and should not believe the government’s claim that Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich had won the presidential election. She added “I am very ashamed to translate these lies. And this is probably my last day in this job, so goodbye.”
But when she told colleagues what she had done, they held a meeting in the newsroom and decided she was right. The management, aware of western calls for free speech in the Ukraine, decided not to fire her. Instead, on Friday’s evening bulletin a journalist announced that the news team would be joining the protest in Kiev, and said: “We are not lying any more.” Since then, the content of the broadcasts has become a lot more balanced. And all because of the boldness of one woman.
on Nov 29th, 2004 at 14:32
This woman has a lot to be proud of. The political situation is very interesting over there, and what is especially great is that it’s all thanks to this one lady that the Media is no longer lying to the people who rely on it for their news. Not sure the people in the East of the country will like this but lucking at it from abroad, this is a situation which is so dramatic and is gripping everyone.
on Dec 2nd, 2004 at 22:17
Also, Ukrainian Kanal-5 available via satellite 5° east in Western Europe is very brave! They cover this event around the clock. It is thrilling to watch! A week ago a Polish EU-parlament member was in the studio and excitingly wished the demonstrators luck! And don’t forget Radio ERA on the same satellite. They have phone-in shows.
on Dec 3rd, 2004 at 14:10
This woman deserves the MTV Free your mind award
on Sep 12th, 2007 at 16:03
An “MTV Free your mind” award?! Why would you want to inult Mrs. Dymytruk like that? Because I can”t think of anything MORE INSULTING to this woman”s courage and decency than to have one of the LEAST HONEST and LEAST DECENT television stations give her an award for “freeing her mind”. Why not just put her on one of MTV”s bullcrap “reality” shows while you”re at it? Do you think that an MTV host would purposely say or do something that would get them fired just because it was the truth? Of COURSE not! Natalya Dymytruk is a good role-model because she has honor and morals.
on Aug 1st, 2008 at 02:18
That’s what I call Bravery!! This woman is amazing! I think her willingness to stand up for what she believed, in the face of incomprehensible adversity, is something that is worth documenting in any history book and should reserve her a place among the many great and noble people who have walked this earth. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like this woman who are willing to face all odds and live valiantly.