OSCE Representative calls for increased measures enhancing safety of journalists in conflict affected area in Ukraine

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic today called for all sides in the conflict-affected area in Ukraine to increase their efforts to ensure safety of journalists.

“The recent outbreak of hostilities in Donbas has already led to several casualties of media members ,” Mijatovic noted. She made particular reference to the injuries inflicted on LIFE.ru cameraman Pavel Chuprin and British freelance photographer Christopher Nunn on 31 January and 2 February respectively.

“Given the dangers of any armed conflict, I urge journalists and media outlets to take all necessary precautions when reporting from conflict areas,” Mijatovic added.

Mijatovic is in Kyiv today to attend the international conference “Safety of Journalists: An Imperative for Free Media, Freedom of Expression and Public Order” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine together with the OSCE, as well as other international organizations and national media associations.

“While attacks on members of the media have been observed in several OSCE participating States, in no country has the physical safety of journalists become more critical in recent years than in Ukraine,” Mijatovic said. “In addition, the continuous stalling of investigations into attacks on journalists and media outlets greatly damages freedom of the media in the country,” Mijatovic noted in her welcoming remarks at the conference. 

According to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, there have been approximately 800 incidents of attacks and threats against journalists and media outlets in Ukraine since November 2013. At least 10 media members have been killed, including those reporting from the conflict area.

Mijatovic will meet with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin during her visit as well as a number of other officials on the sidelines of the conference.

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.