Restrictive measures toward Russian journalists reporting from Ukraine excessive, OSCE Representative says

VIENNA, 26 February 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said recent measures limiting some Russian journalists to fulfil their professional activities in Ukraine are excessive.

On 12 February, the Supreme Rada decided to strip accreditation of some 100 Russian media outlets at all Ukrainian public institutions. The list of the media outlets that fell under the ban and the reasons for revoking their accreditations or other details were not provided.

“The lack of transparency in this matter is troubling,” Mijatović said. “The authorities should fully disclose their reasoning for these steps and also provide a complete list of the media outlets affected.”

Further, the Representative noted that, according to reports, on 25 February law enforcement authorities detained journalists with two Russian television channels, Channel One and NTV, for disseminating anti-Ukrainian propaganda. The journalists were deported to the Russian Federation and banned from entering Ukraine for a period of five years. Reportedly, on the same day another journalist with NTV was denied entry to Ukraine.

Mijatović also noted reports that, on 16 February, a television crew with Al Jazeera was denied entry at Kyiv’s airport.  

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.