Geneva, March 24, 2023 — The new rules for journalists in Ukraine in the war zone are due to be revised, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said in a statement on Friday.

On March 19, the Armed Forces of Ukraine introduced new rules for war reporters. Now journalists cannot work in the so-called “red zones” and can only work with a military escort in the less dangerous “yellow zones”. The rest of the territory is considered a “green zone” where journalists work freely.

Such zoning makes it impossible for journalists to work along the entire front line, as well as in some liberated civilian cities, according to Andrii Ianitskyi, Press Emblem Campaign’s representative in Ukraine.

“Any restrictions should be reasonable and should not paralyze the work of thousands of foreign and local journalists who play an important role in establishing the truth, including recording the war crimes of Russians in Ukraine,” Mr. Ianitskyi said.

The new rules came into force simultaneously with the new system of accreditation of journalists by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. From May, accreditation will be valid for only 6 months, after which it will have to be re-registered. The new accreditation rules create an additional administrative burden on editorial offices.

In the context of the adoption by the Ukrainian Parliament of a new law on media, which also restricts the work of journalists, the new rules of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reflect the general negative trend towards restricting freedom of speech in the country at war.

These difficulties show the need to adopt an international convention for the protection of journalists, especially in war zones, to guarantee access to independent information and at the same time the safety of journalists, added PEC President Blaise Lempen. As the war will escalate in the coming months, rules must be proportionate and clear.

Read more on the “zoning”: https://imi.org.ua/en/news/military-command-outlines-the-red-yellow-and-green-working-zones-for-journalists-in-the-south-i51577

More info on : www.pressemblem.ch