Ukraine: CFWIJ Stands In Solidarity With Journalists In Ukraine
Location: Ukraine
Date: February 25, 2022
Rights Of The Press Must Be Protected
The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support and solidarity to women and LGBTQ+ journalists in Ukraine. Following weeks of escalating tensions, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukrainian territory on February 24, 2022. The military operation comes amid growing NATO influence in the Eastern European region and Western sanctions on Russia to deter its state from escalation against Ukraine. After several months of diplomatic engagements failed, President Vladimir Putin announced an “operation” to “protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years”.
As is often the case with neo-imperial plans of occupation, the explicit motivation is flimsy and baseless. Putin’s move has garnered widespread condemnation from much of the world as well as criticism from its own citizenry. The Russian people have come out en-masse demanding an end to the war. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at least 137 civilians and military personnel were killed within the first day of the Russian invasion.
As the situation on ground worsens, journalists and reporters from around the world find themselves in the midst of the conflict as they strive to ensure extensive and independent reportage. This puts them at direct risk of physical and psychological harm.
As our coverage of Palestine and Afghanistan last year indicated, journalists in war zones often find themselves vulnerable to state overreaches, extrajudicial action, mass panic and fear as well as on-ground hostility. Thus for the sake of the spirit of journalism and the people who risk their lives to bring us the truth, it is now more important than ever to provide members of the press in Russia, Ukraine and the surrounding region the institutional support they need.
As war breaks out in #Ukraine safety of all #journalists must be guaranteed by all parties. Independent, free, pluralistic #media is the best antidote against #disinformation in war or peace. pic.twitter.com/FCzcH6S5xG
— Irene Khan (@Irenekhan) February 24, 2022
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with local and international journalists and newsrooms operating in the region. Information is often the first to fall to distortion and manipulation by aggressive forces and in times of conflict. Therefore, it is essential that journalists are permitted to do their jobs and bring vital information to the citizens of both the countries as well as the international community at large. The CFWIJ would like to reamplify the reminder by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion & Expression Irene Khan who stated that, “independent, pluralistic and free media is the best antidote against disinformation in war or peace”.
If you are a media person in the region or are associated with someone who is, please find below a list of useful resources:
You can find the UNESCO handbook for reporters in high-risk environments here.
The Committee to Protect Journalists offers extensive instructions to prepare for covering a high-risk situation which can be accessed here.
The Global Investigative Journalism Network published a guide for journalists present in emergency situations, which you can find here.
If you are a freelance journalist, or a media organization working with a freelance journalist please ensure you are following all the safety principles. You can access comprehensive instructions published by the Dart Center here.
Please understand journalists on the ground run a serious risk of experiencing extreme trauma. If you are part of the management team in the newsroom, refer to the Trauma Management Resource published by ACOS here.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.