Nataliya Dmytruk
Encyclopedia
Nataliya Dmytruk (born 1957 or 1958) is a former sign language
interpreter
on the Ukrainian
state-run channel UT1
news broadcasts. Dmytruk became famous for refusing to translate the official script during a live broadcast on November 24, 2004 that announced Viktor Yanukovych
as the winner of the presidential election
. Instead of signing the official script, Dmytruk instead signed to viewers "Our president is Viktor Yushchenko
. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies." Dmytruk's act of defiance has been regarded as one of several catalysts for many Ukrainian journalists who subsequently rejected doctored news reports in favour of a more balanced reporting.
interpreter at the Ukrainian state-run channel UT1
but became instantly famous during the live news broadcast on November 24, 2004, when she refused to translate the official script that announced Viktor Yanukovych
as the winner of the presidential election
. Deviating from the official script followed by the voice announcer, Dmytruk instead signed to viewers, "I am addressing everybody who is deaf in Ukraine. Our president is Victor Yushchenko. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies.... And I am very ashamed to translate such lies to you. Maybe you will see me again."
Her solo rebellion sparked a stop-work meeting by 250 of her newsroom colleagues who made a broader stand for truth. Hundreds of her colleagues at UT-1 who were inspired by Dmytruk's action confronted the network's owners, chanting, "No more lies!" Within days UT1 had changed to a balanced reporting style. Following her act, many other news reporters in the broadcast media run or controlled by the state or the oligarch
s who supported Yanukovych refused to participate in the production of the doctored news reports. Within a few days the overall political climate in Ukrainian media changed dramatically towards a more balanced coverage, while prior to these events the domination of the media is considered one of the ways Yanukovych influenced the vote.
"Without telling anyone, I just went in and did what my conscience told me to do." Hours after her UT1 co-workers announced on-air their intentions to report fairly, reporters at Channel 1+1 made a similar announcement. These changes were significant, because until then, most media outlets in Ukraine were influenced in some capacity by the government.
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
interpreter
Interpreting
Language interpretation is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages...
on the Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
state-run channel UT1
UT1 (Ukraine)
Pershyi Natsionalnyi is the state-run television channel in Ukraine, operated by the National Television Company of Ukraine. It is the only Ukrainian TV channel covering over 97% of Ukraine's territory. Its programs are oriented on all social layers of the Ukrainian society and national minorities...
news broadcasts. Dmytruk became famous for refusing to translate the official script during a live broadcast on November 24, 2004 that announced Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych is a Ukrainian politician who has been the President of Ukraine since February 2010.Yanukovych served as the Governor of Donetsk Oblast from 1997 to 2002...
as the winner of the presidential election
Ukrainian presidential election, 2004
The Ukrainian presidential election, 2004 was held on October 31, November 21 and December 26, 2004. The election was the fourth presidential election to take place in Ukraine following independence from the Soviet Union...
. Instead of signing the official script, Dmytruk instead signed to viewers "Our president is Viktor Yushchenko
Viktor Yushchenko
Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko is a former President of Ukraine. He took office on January 23, 2005, following a period of popular unrest known as the Orange Revolution...
. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies." Dmytruk's act of defiance has been regarded as one of several catalysts for many Ukrainian journalists who subsequently rejected doctored news reports in favour of a more balanced reporting.
Personal life
Dmytruk is the daughter of deaf parents and is the mother of two children, a son and daughter. Dmytruk both speaks and signs.Act of courage
She was a barely known sign languageSign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
interpreter at the Ukrainian state-run channel UT1
UT1 (Ukraine)
Pershyi Natsionalnyi is the state-run television channel in Ukraine, operated by the National Television Company of Ukraine. It is the only Ukrainian TV channel covering over 97% of Ukraine's territory. Its programs are oriented on all social layers of the Ukrainian society and national minorities...
but became instantly famous during the live news broadcast on November 24, 2004, when she refused to translate the official script that announced Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych is a Ukrainian politician who has been the President of Ukraine since February 2010.Yanukovych served as the Governor of Donetsk Oblast from 1997 to 2002...
as the winner of the presidential election
Ukrainian presidential election, 2004
The Ukrainian presidential election, 2004 was held on October 31, November 21 and December 26, 2004. The election was the fourth presidential election to take place in Ukraine following independence from the Soviet Union...
. Deviating from the official script followed by the voice announcer, Dmytruk instead signed to viewers, "I am addressing everybody who is deaf in Ukraine. Our president is Victor Yushchenko. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies.... And I am very ashamed to translate such lies to you. Maybe you will see me again."
Her solo rebellion sparked a stop-work meeting by 250 of her newsroom colleagues who made a broader stand for truth. Hundreds of her colleagues at UT-1 who were inspired by Dmytruk's action confronted the network's owners, chanting, "No more lies!" Within days UT1 had changed to a balanced reporting style. Following her act, many other news reporters in the broadcast media run or controlled by the state or the oligarch
Oligarchy
Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with an elite class distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, commercial, and/or military legitimacy...
s who supported Yanukovych refused to participate in the production of the doctored news reports. Within a few days the overall political climate in Ukrainian media changed dramatically towards a more balanced coverage, while prior to these events the domination of the media is considered one of the ways Yanukovych influenced the vote.
"Without telling anyone, I just went in and did what my conscience told me to do." Hours after her UT1 co-workers announced on-air their intentions to report fairly, reporters at Channel 1+1 made a similar announcement. These changes were significant, because until then, most media outlets in Ukraine were influenced in some capacity by the government.
Aftermath
Despite Dmytruk's efforts, changes spearheaded at UT1 by a new boss eliminated sign-language services, forcing Dmytruk onto extended leave. She later resigned and joined rival Channel 1+1.Awards
- Dmytruk was invited to the Freedom HouseFreedom HouseFreedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
Champions of Freedom gala in BratislavaBratislavaBratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Slovak Republic on February 24, 2005 where Dmytruk and the other guests met privately with US President George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. - In 2005, Nataliya Dmytruk, together with another Ukrainian Olena PrytulaOlena PrytulaOlena Prytula is a Ukrainian journalist, the editor-in-chief, owner of the Ukrayinska Pravda, an influential online newspaper that focuses on news and political coverage in Ukraine.-Early life:...
, were given the annual International John Aubuchon Freedom of the PressFreedom of the pressFreedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
AwardAwardAn award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
of the National Press Club. - On April 25, 2005 Dmytruk and three other Ukrainian women (Oksana Horbunova, Oksana Yarosh and Lyudmila Merlyan) received the Fern Holland Award at the Vital VoicesVital VoicesVital Voices Global Partnership is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization that works with women leaders in the areas of economic empowerment, women's political participation, and human rights. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C..-History:The nonprofit Vital...
Global Partnership's fifth annual ceremony which honors women from around the world who have made a difference.