The director-general of UNESCO has denounced the killing of a local television cameraman in Ukraine as scattered reports emerged of other journalists injured, missing and under attack.
Condemning the killing of Yevheniy Sakun in the bomb attack on the Kyiv TV Tower on 1 March, UNESCO’s Audrey Azoulay said: “Journalists have a vital role in keeping the public informed, especially in times of conflict. I call on all parties to respect international human rights law, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015) on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict.”
Journalists from the UK were among those at risk.
A Sky News team was ambushed outside Kyiv on Feburary 28.
Journalist charity The Rory Peck Trust said the charity and its various media partners had been struggling to source the right protection for journalists in Ukraine such as bulletproof vests and other equipment.
An ITV producer was reported missing in Mariupol.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) repeated its call for the protection of journalists after two Danish journalists were injured on the way to cover a bombed kindergarten in the northeastern city of Ohtyrka for Danish newspaper Ekstra-Bladet on February 26.
Reporter Stefan Weichert and photographer Emil Filtenborg Mikkelsen have been safely evacuated and were on their way home.
Kosovo was reported to have plans to shelter 20 Ukrainian journalists for up to six months. The journalists were forced to leave their country following the invasion by Russia, according to a government document seen by Reuters.
The document says priority will be given to female journalists to be chosen by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF).
Both the International Federation of Journalists and OpenDemocracy have fund raising campaigns to support journalists at risk.
Ukrainian tv cameraman killed
Sky News team attacked
Rory Peck Trust needs protective equipment
Danish journalists injured
Kosovo to shelter Ukrainian journalists
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) campaign fund
OpenDemocracy campaign fund
UNESCO concern about Ukraine February 24
UNESCO concern about Ukraine March 3
UNESCO promotes safety of journalists
UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists
