Ukraine: 86 incidents of aggression against journalists recorded in 2018 

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), an IFJ affiliate, has recorded 86 attacks against media workers in 2018. The IFJ joins its affiliate in strictly condemning the attacks and demand public authorities to provide clear guarantee for press freedom in the country.

Copyright: IFJ

For the second consecutive year, NUJU has published its Journalists' Physical safety index which collects the incidents against journalists over the year. The report is part of NUJU's campaign against impunity led in cooperation with the IFJ. 

The 2018 report records 86 attacks against media workers,  a 50% rise in comparison to 2017. The report also includes a rise in the attacks against female media workers (43% of cases). 

The largest number of incidents (29) was recorded in Kyiv and Kyiv region as it was the case in 2017. 

Among the 86 agressions 12 included attacks by officials, council and parliamentary members, 10 involved aggressions by police officers and law enforcement officers. Only one case involved the use of weapons.

NUJU President  Sergiy Tomilenko said: " For the second consecutive year, we note a very high level of physical aggression against journalists.  NUJU requires law enforcement agencies and politicians to do their utmost to reduce such threatening indicators."  

The union points to systemic impunity and physical attacks as two of the main challenges for media workers in Ukraine. 

IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said: " This well documented report will contribute to hold those responsible for these attacks to account. We demand Ukrainian authorities a swift justice for our colleagues and minimum safety standards for journalists to work freely".

 

 

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