NUJU expells Kherson-based pro-russian propagandist
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine expelled Hennadiy Shelestenko, founder of the "Khersonsky Visnyk New" newspaper, for collaborationism and support for the occupation regime.
This decision was made by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine on April 27 at an urgent meeting of the secretariat and the audit commission of the union.
As IMI has reported, Shelestenko and his wife took part in a series of propaganda events organized by russians and local collaborationists in Kherson, and later published propaganda content about them.
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine added that on its Facebook page, "Khersonsky Visnyk New" publishes articles about the so-called "new Ukraine" without "Ukrainian Nazism," as well as other articles that reinforce the narratives of russian propaganda.
"It is absolutely shameful that Shelestenko posts his journalistic ID in close-up like this, emphasizing his journalistic status and positioning himself and his newspaper as 'heralds of truth' in Kherson. This is an absolute shame! We must exclude such people for treason, for aiding the occupiers. There are no grounds to say that such messages are being distributed under pressure or torture. The union condemns such actions," said Serhiy Tomilenko, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.
Yuriy Rabotin, the head of the Odesa regional branch of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, who accepted Shelestenko and his pro-russian friends into the organization, supported the proposal to expel Hennadiy Shelestenko, who is registered with this regional branch.
"At the time of issuing the certificate, the newspaper had not been broadcasting pro-russian rhetoric," Rabotin said.
Currently, on the Facebook page of "Khersonsky Visnyk New," collaborationists claim that the staff of the newspaper "consists exclusively of members of the Union of Journalists of Ukraine, they have all been inspected by the National Union of Journalists and pay contributions."
It will be recalled that Shelestenko's participation in pro-russian events became known on March 13.
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