THE LIQUIDATION OF THE TRADE UNION OF JOURNALISTS IN RUSSIA HAS RECEIVED AN INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

At the beginning of last week, the Moscow City Court received a statement of claim from the prosecutor's office, demanding the closure of the journalists' union. At the same time, the organization's activities were officially suspended by the court on June 4, 2022. The reason for this was published on the website of the trade union publications containing "discrediting the Russian army."

A few days after that, international authorities became interested in the possible closure of the trade union. Teresa Ribeiro, who monitors media activities in 57 OSCE participating states, expressed her concern about the incident, in particular.

 

According to Ribeiro, the closure of organizations such as the trade union of journalists causes great damage to the professional integrity and solidarity of Russian journalists. The OSCE called on the Russian authorities to reflect and reconsider the possible decision to close the organization, allowing it to continue its activities in the country.

A similar position on the case was stated by another international organization. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded the termination of lawsuits that law enforcement agencies have recently initiated against journalists. They, according to the organization, only instill an atmosphere of fear.

 

Recall that the "Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers" (has the status of an interregional public organization) it was created in 2017. It was attended by about 600 media representatives, including employees of Novaya Gazeta, employees of Kommersant and RBC publications.

The structure emerged as an alternative to the official Union of Journalists of Russia. Its chairman Pavel Gusev, who also heads the Commission on the rights of journalists under the Presidential Council, did not see the possible closure of the NGO as a big problem. In his opinion, the organization could not perform the functions for which it was created.

 

It is known that the next meeting of the Moscow City Court in the case of the "trade union of journalists" is to be held on August 3, 2022. Lawyer Maxim Krupsky will represent the interests of the organization at it. As he previously told the press, the defense will have to familiarize itself with the appendices to the claim, set out on 350 sheets. The position of the prosecutor's office, the lawyer said, was not announced at the pre-trial meeting. Now it is to be found in the case file.