A Kyiv court has ruled in favor of Marina Honda, the Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), in her defamation lawsuit against the Telegram channel “Trukha.” The court ordered the channel’s founder, Maksym Lavrynenko, to publish an official retraction of false claims made about Honda.
In her statement following the ruling, Honda confirmed that the Shevchenkivskyi District Court found the information disseminated by “Trukha” to be untrue. The channel had previously accused her of orchestrating a corruption scheme that allegedly resulted in significant financial losses for the city’s budget.
Honda expressed concern over the sensationalism surrounding the case, stating that there had been numerous misleading headlines and premature conclusions that sought to shape public opinion before any facts were established. She emphasized that the court’s decision provided a legal assessment of the situation.
“This is not about personal matters. It is about a boundary that should not be crossed, even in times of heightened emotions and social tension,”
she remarked.
Honda underscored the importance of freedom of speech as a fundamental value in a democratic society, but noted that this freedom does not extend to the dissemination of false information or unfounded accusations. She highlighted the need for responsible reporting, particularly on sensitive issues that affect public welfare, such as social support and assistance for those in need.
Looking ahead, Honda expressed hope that the defendant would voluntarily comply with the court’s ruling.
It is worth noting that “Trukha” has previously faced scrutiny for publishing images and videos from locations targeted during Russian bombardments, which have been criticized for potentially serving as targeting information for enemy forces.
A Kyiv court has ruled in favor of Deputy Mayor Marina Honda in her defamation case against the Telegram channel "Trukha," ordering a retraction of false claims. Honda emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in sensitive matters affecting public welfare.