Victor Yanukovych and the media

Eventually even Victor Yanukovych, the president, voiced his concern: “It is critically important for a democratic country to protect freedom of speech and prevent pressure on media," he declared. Yet it is hard not to feel that what Mr Yanukovych is aiming for is the minimum level of freedom needed to keep international institutions quiet, and no more.

TVi should survive at least until polling day. The channel is not out of the woods yet, however. It was denied a digital licence last year. Certain cable providers are refusing to carry it. It is easy to see why the channel riles the authorities. Programmes such as Exclamation Mark routinely expose large-scale corruption (English version of one report here), while satirical shows mock the country's leaders. Its independence is guaranteed by an editorial board that includes such luminaries as Poland's Adam Michnik. Crucially, says Mr Kniazhytsky, TVi's owner has no other business interests in Ukraine.