Journalists unions from Russia and Ukraine meet to discuss journalists’ safety, jointly condemn attacks on journalists
VIENNA, 23 April 2015 – Senior representatives from the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine, National Union of the Journalists of Ukraine, and the Russian Union of Journalists met in Vienna today to discuss ways to improve professional standards and safety of journalists in Ukraine.
The unions met under the auspices of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for the sixth roundtable discussion with the objective of facilitating dialogue between the journalists of the two countries.
The representatives of the unions agreed on a joint statement condemning the ongoing attacks on journalists reporting from the conflict and the use of propaganda. They proposed intensified exchanges between journalists from the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and activities to further enhance the dialogue. The joint statement is available here.
The participants discussed a number of issues related to safety of journalists and ethical reporting, including joint monitoring and joint reporting activities, accreditation and registration of journalists, freedom of movement and access to cover the conflict, as well as media self-censorship, propaganda and “patriotic journalism”.
The participants also heard a presentation on solidarity among journalists and co-operation in times of conflict by Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists. Dooley offered insight and gave examples of fruitful co-operation between journalists from United Kingdom and Ireland covering the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Alongside Russian and Ukrainian unions of journalists, representatives from the International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, Open Society Foundations, and Reporters without Borders also participated in the meeting.
The discussions and experiences stemming from the roundtable will also feed into the conference on Safety of Journalists, Media Freedom and Pluralism in Times of Conflict to be organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on June 15 and 16 in Vienna. More information on this conference is available here.
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 at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.