RSF calls on the authorities to give accreditation back to journalists

Photo: RSF

International human rights organization "Reporters Without Borders" calls on the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to give back accreditation to journalists who have been stripped of it for reporting from Kherson. This was announced on the organization's Twitter.

"RSF is concerned about reports of dozens of local & international journalists being stripped of their accreditation for covering Kherson's liberation. We call on the Ministry of Defense to restore accreditations and to guarantee the free exercise of journalism," the statement says.

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.

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.

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