UNESCO continues to support Ukrainian journalists and media professionals affected by the war and remains fully committed to protecting and promoting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. This is stated in the response from UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Mariya Gabriel to the appeal from the National Committee of the “Information for All” (IFAP) programme.
IFAP National Committee appealed to UNESCO at the beginning of September after Russia attacked the offices of the television channels “We Are Ukraine” and “We Are Ukraine+” in Kyiv, as a result six media professionals were injured and the channels’ offices were destructed. The Statement emphasizes that Russia is deliberately and systematically violating the fundamental right to access information. Ensuring this right, as well as the safety of journalists, is one of UNESCO’s priorities.
In its response, UNESCO noted that it is in direct contact with the affected media outlets and, furthermore, continues to provide broader support to Ukrainian journalists and media workers who have been affected by the war. Such support helps preserve access to independent information and enables journalists and media professionals to continue their important work under extremely difficult conditions.
“UNESCO will continue to remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel as civilians in situations of armed conflict. We also reiterate that media infrastructure is protected under international humanitarian law as a civilian object,” as stated in Mariya Gabriel’s response.
UNESCO also noted that the organization remains fully committed to protecting and promoting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in accordance with its mandate.
