The article is devoted to the issue of establishing criminal liability for crimes against journalists. Areas of research on this subject are identified. The basic re-search and publications on that issues are reviewed. The position of Recommendation № R (96) 4 «On the protection of journalists in situations of conflict and tension» is analyzed. The need for introducing such liability is researched. Certain degree of journalists’ vulnerability is stated, as evidenced by numerous cases of obstruction of journalistic activities, damage their property, threats or violence against them. It is indicated that several special norms provided liability for crimes against journalists were added by the Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Strengthening Guarantees of Journalistic Activities» to the Criminal Code of Ukraine: 1) threats or violence against a journalist (Art. 345-1 of the Criminal Code); 2) intentional destruction or damage to property of a journalist (Art. 347-1 of the Criminal Code); 3) attempt on the life of a journalist (Art. 348-1 of the Criminal Code); 4) hostage seizure of a journalist (Art. 349-1 of the Criminal Code). Deficiencies in existence of separate groups of crimes are identified - crimes against journalists due to the presence in the existing criminal law norms that punish such acts. It is concluded that it is not legally justified to introduce criminal responsibility for new kinds of crimes because of their possible duplication and creating unwanted competition of norms. It is also concluded that the introduction of special rules to criminal law of Ukraine should be conditional on increased (or reduced) level of social danger of the act versus of-fence under the general rule. It is noted that there is an issue of selecting the chapter of the Special Section of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to which changes can be made. It is claimed that journalists should be provided by the criminal law protection but without creating more competition and overloading the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Стаття присвячена спробі вирішення питання щодо необхідності встановлення кримінальної відповідальності за злочини проти журналістів. Визначені проблеми дослідження цієї тематики, проаналізовані основні напрацювання і публікації з таких питань. Розглянуто необхідність запровадження такої відповідальності.

Статья посвящена попытке решения вопроса о необходимости установления уголовной ответственности за преступления против журналистов. Определены проблемы исследования данной тематики, проанализированы основные наработки и публикации по этим вопросам. Рассмотрена необходимость введения такой ответственности.