Journalists and media CSOs demand that the accreditation revoked for reporting from Kherson be restored

Photo: REUTERS / Lesko Kromplitz

Ukrainian and foreign journalists and media organizations demand that the authorities take immediate action to resolve the conflict caused by the inefficiency and unprofessionalism of the Ministry of Defense communication structures, namely the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces.

This is stated in an address to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the UAF Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, and the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov.

In particular, the authors and signatories demand that the authorities restore the accreditation of the Ukrainian and foreign media workers who covered the events in Kherson and who, according to the General Staff's reports, were stripped of accreditation for this.

Moreover, the journalists demand an internal investigation into the "unprofessional work of the OC 'South' communications department and the general communications sector of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and that appropriate staffing decisions be made."

"We demand that the redundant and inefficient bureaucracy be streamlined, namely by getting rid of the suporfluous documents and approvals demanded by the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces. Journalists already have accreditation from the Ministry of Defense, which constitutes an official permit to work. Additional documents and permits, which are being issued unprofessionally and selectively at that, are complicating the work of journalists and are detrimental to covering the most important events in Ukraine for the Ukrainian and global audience," the statement reads.

Here is the full address:

We, Ukrainian and foreign journalists and media organizations, demand that the authorities take immediate action to resolve the conflict caused by the inefficiency and unprofessionalism of the Ministry of Defense communication structures, namely the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces.

The on-the-ground reports made by Ukrainian and foreign journalists in liberated Kherson contribute significantly to our victory. The footage shot by our colleagues from CNN, SkyNews, and other leading foreign and Ukrainian media has spread all over the world. They have become a testament to the joy with which the people of Kherson met the Ukrainian troops, thereby refuting the Russian propaganda's lies. Their reports are also extremely important as documents of Ukrainian history, which is being made right now.

Yet, the Ministry of Defense communication structures, which failed to build a mechanism for journalist admission, decided to simply forbid journalists from working in the newly liberated city altogether, citing the risks of being there.

We would like to remind you that the professional journalists who have received official accreditation from the Ministry of Defense have sufficient skills, have undergone numerous trainings, have international safety certificates and vast experience of working on the front line.

Those Ukrainian and foreign journalists who got to Kherson without fulfilling all the requirements of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces have been stripped of their accreditation and will no longer be able to cover events on the front line and in the area near the front, and foreign correspondents may no longer be able work in Ukraine at all.

The failure to understand the specifics of journalists' work during the war and the reluctance to create equal and transparent rules of work have led to media tension and a communication crisis. Trying to ban everything not only does not work – it does harm to our country. And those who look for simple solutions create complicated problems.

We demand:

• That the accreditation of the Ukrainian and foreign media workers who covered the events in Kherson and who, according to the General Staff's reports, were stripped of accreditation for this be immediately restored.
• That an internal investigation into the unprofessional work of the OC 'South' communications department and the general communications sector of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine be conducted and appropriate staffing decisions be made.
• That fair and transparent work and admission rules for journalists be developed and the selective approach be abandoned.
• That aggressive attacks on media workers cease and that the authorities start cooperating with them. Professionals who understand the specifics of journalists' work and are able to build high-quality communication should be involved in the work of the Ministry of Defense communication bodies.
• That redundant and ineffective bureaucracy be streamlined, namely by getting rid of the suporfluous documents and approvals demanded by the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces. Journalists already have accreditation from the Ministry of Defense, which constitutes an official permit to work. Additional documents and permits, which are being issued unprofessionally and selectively at that, are complicating the work of journalists and are detrimental to covering the most important events in Ukraine for the Ukrainian and global audience.
• That unjustified obstruction of journalists' work cease and that journalist be treated with respect and understanding of their needs and their mission. It is thanks to the work of Ukrainian and foreign journalists that the world is learning about the war and sympathizes with Ukraine.
• That every effort is made so that professional media can perform their work quickly and without hindrance.

Signed by:

Media Movement;

ZMINA Center for Human Rights;

Texty.org.ua;

hromadske team;

Analytical and Media Agency "Gal-info" Editor-in-Chief Andriy Marynyuk;

Dmytro Larin, UP;

Halyna Yeremitsia, journalist, Chernivtsi;

Olena Demchenko, RPDI;

Angelina Strashkulych, Ukrinform correspondent;

Dmytro Halko, war correspondent;

Roman Kabachiy, media expert, journalist, publicist;

The address is open for signing, signatures to be sent to [email protected] in the following format: First name/Last name/Organization (media outlet).

As IMI reported, several media representatives who had violated the rules of working in combat zones had their work permits revoked and their press cards invalidated by the Ministry of Defense. Namely, Hromadske journalists Anastasia Stanko and Mykola Pastyko, as well as some CNN and SkyNews journalists have been stripped of their accreditation. Suspilne and Hromadske's filming crews have also been working in Kherson after the liberation of the city. The Rada channel has also done a live stream from Kherson.

The General Staff noted that the order of the UAF Commander-in-Chief No. 73, dated 03.03.2022, is delivered to all media representatives as they are being given their press card.

We remind that on November 11, on the day Kherson was liberated, Operational Command "South" announced that mass media's access to settlements that were de-occupied in November 2022 would be temporarily restricted.

"Please note that work in the settlements located in the combat zone is regulated by the order of the UAF Commander-in-Chief No. 73, dated 03.03.2022; non-compliance with this order may become grounds for a journalist's accreditation being revoked. These settlements will be accessible no sooner than the defense forces complete stabilization efforts," the military stressed.