Killing, intimidation and detention of journalists in eastern Ukraine is not acceptable, say Ukrainian and Russian journalists’ representatives
BISHKEK, 29 September 2014 – Representatives of Ukrainian and Russian journalists’ unions condemned the killing, beating and detention of journalists in the zone of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine in a meeting organized by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović on 26 September in Vienna.
Hosting the third in a series of meetings, with the aim to improve co-operation on journalists’ safety and professionalism, Mijatović said that the unions play a key role in resolving these issues and in de-escalating the conflict.
“The result of the discussion and the Statement issued send a strong message that dialogue, professionalism and truth are our allies when reporting about this terrible conflict,” Mijatović said. “Journalists have a particular responsibility not to engage in propaganda.”
The Statement was adopted following the meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian journalists’ unions.The first two meetings took place on 19 May and 27 June 2014. At the first meeting the journalists adopted a Memorandum on the situation in and around Ukraine and at the second an Action plan.
Representatives of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine, and the Russian Union of Journalists attended the meeting, which was opened by Alison Bethel-McKenzie, executive director of the International Press Institute. Representatives of the International Federation of Journalists, European Federation of Journalists and Reporters without Borders also took part.
Mijatović is in Bishkek as a special guest of PEN International at its 80th World Congress.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.