OSCE Media Freedom Representative expresses serious concerns about suspension of independent Russian trade union of journalists

VIENNA, 14 July 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, expressed serious concerns about the recent judicial suspension of the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union’s (JMWU) activities in Russia and the pending prosecutor’s motion to fully close the organization.

According to reports, the prosecutor’s office in Moscow initiated an administrative case against the organization on charges of ‘public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces,’ requesting the court dissolve the union. Pending the prosecutor’s motion, the Moscow City Court effectively suspended JMWU activities as of 4 July 2022. Reportedly, JMWU representatives were neither duly informed about the results of the inspection that preceded the prosecutor’s request, nor about the details of the charges against the union.

“Professional media organizations, such as the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union’s in Russia play an important role in protecting and strengthening the rights and freedoms of media workers and supporting high standards of journalism. In doing so, they are vitally contributing to the promotion of free, independent and pluralistic media,” Ribeiro said. “Against the backdrop of the continued increasingly repressive measures of the Russian authorities against media freedom in the country, it is of great concern to see the current legal developments around JMWU, as this further harms professional integrity, solidarity and accountability of journalists in Russia. I strongly urge the Russian authorities to reconsider the decision to close JMWU and allow the organization to continue its activities in an unhindered manner,” Ribeiro added.

JMWU was established by independent journalists in 2016 and is the only Russian media association that is a member of the European Federation of Journalists.

In earlier statements, the Representative has denounced the restrictive developments affecting freedom of expression and media freedom in Russia, including the introduction of criminal liability and imprisonment for spreading so-called “fake” information about the Russian armed forces in the context of the country’s military attack against Ukraine.

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 facebook.com/osce.rfom.