Independent Media Trade Union criticizes new rules of Ministry of Defense for journalists in ATO area

The head of the Independent media trade union of Ukraine Yuriy Lukanov says that the new rules from the Ministry of Defense for journalists’ travels to the ATO zone are just impeding the work of the journalists. The reason, as he pointed out, is lack of flexibility, which stands in the way to any improvisation in the rapidly changing circumstances in the area of hostilities.

Earlier, the journalists were to submit their travel plans in the ATO zone the day before the intended trip and it was a hassle, but according to the new rules, they have to do it once a week – on Wednesday. As a result of the system’s rigidity, at checkpoints the journalists often cannot find their surnames in the lists of persons allowed to cross to the occupied territories.