THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
The need to revise security protocols for journalists working in the combat zone was stated in an exclusive comment to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) National Union of Ukrainian Journalists by the Director of the Department of Strategic Communications of the Ministry of Culture, Hanna Krasnostup.
On December 17, at a meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Council of Europe Campaign ‘Journalists Matter’ in Ukraine, the critically important issue of media workers’ safety was discussed. Representatives of the Institute of Mass Information and the NUJU took part in the meeting.
“The key word is ‘dangerous’. The inscription ‘PRESS’ is dangerous… on helmets, bulletproof vests… impossible,” Hanna Krasnostup emphasized.
According to her, all methodological recommendations and security protocols for journalists should be rewritten now. The reason is that such designations unmask media workers and make them potential targets.
“One can’t show the russians that you are a target,” explained the representative of the Ministry of Culture.
Hanna Krasnostup drew a parallel with armored cars:
“If the russians see an armored car, they think that it is some high-ranking official driving. That is why the clear markings ‘PRESS’ do not work as protection, but on the contrary – attract unwanted attention.”
The Ministry of Culture has already developed recommendations for state authorities that communicate with journalists within the framework of the coordination committee.
Among the planned activities are conducting exercises, training sessions, and seminars for journalists and media workers, developing new methodological recommendations on security, and disseminating these recommendations among international partners – the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
“It is necessary for journalists working in the combat zone to know how to protect themselves, especially from the russians,” concluded Hanna Krasnostup.
NUJU Information Service
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