Exhibition about journalists killed by Russia's aggression opens in the Verkhovna Rada

An exhibition dedicated to media professionals killed in the course of Russia's aggression opened in the building of the Verkhovna Rada on December 3. The exhibition tells the stories of those whose deaths were reported in 2024 and lists the names of journalists killed by Russia since 2014.

The exhibition was organized by the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) and the Heorhiy Gongadze Award together with PEN Ukraine as part of the RECviem project, a memorial platform about journalists who died as a result of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine. The exhibition will run from December until the end of 2024.

The IMI and partners open an exhibition dedicated to journalists killed by Russia's aggression, located in the Verkhovna Rada. Photos by the Heorhiy Gongadze Award

On the day of the exhibition's opening, the list of deceased media workers maintained by the Institute of Mass Information contained 99 names. As of December 3, 2024, we know of 100 media professionals who died as a result of Russian aggression since 2014.

“Behind each of the 99 names is History and Destiny. Which we have no right to forget. Which we must constantly remind ourselves of. So that we stay motivated to fight to see their murderers punished. To bring back the over 30 journalists currently in Russian custody. To prevent Victoria Roshchyna's fate from befalling any of those 30,” said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech.

The exhibition about journalists deceased as a result of Russia's aggression demonstrates not only the pain of loss, but also the strength of journalists who, despite the risks, worked to bring the truth about the war started by Russia to the world, noted Oksana Romaniuk, director of the Institute of Mass Information.

“Each name on these display stands is a reminder of the price we pay for freedom of speech and our country's independence. We are grateful to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech for supporting this initiative. Russia must be held accountable for crimes against journalists, the media, and freedom of speech. This is not just a matter of justice, but also a necessity to guarantee the safety of journalism as a profession across the globe,” said Oksana Romaniuk.

The IMI and partners open an exhibition dedicated to journalists killed by Russia's aggression, located in the Verkhovna Rada. Photos by the Heorhiy Gongadze Award

“This exhibition displayed within the Parliament's walls serves an important reminder for lawmakers of the importance of freedom of speech, especially in times of hardship for the country, during our struggle for democratic values. Especially when we are losing not just our fellow media workers, but Ukraine's voices,” commented Vladyslav Zinkevych, Heorhiy Gongadze Award program director.

Earlier, the Media Movement, as well as Ukraine's media and human rights NGOs called on the Verkhovna Rada deputies to not support the draft bill No. 10242 in its current version. This draft bill poses significant threats to freedom of speech, the work of journalists, and the protection of journalists' sources and corruption whistleblowers in Ukraine.

IMI experts see no sufficient reasons, security-related or otherwise, to restrict livestreams of the Verkhovna Rada sessions. These livestreams should only be interrupted for the duration of air raid alerts, when deputies go to the shelter. At other times, the Rada must ensure unhindered live broadcast of its meetings. Holding meetings behind closed doors and avoiding control over the work of the parliament by the media and the public is unacceptable in a democratic society.

Photo by the Heorhiy Gongadze Award