Targeted
Journalists In Danger
1531 journalists were killed since 1993 (RSF)
On average, every five days a journalist is killed for bringing information to the public. (UNESCO)
511 journalists are currently in prison.
Nino Ivanishvili is the dean of Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management. She explains the different angles of safety for journalists.
Ukraine
Almost 100 journalists died in Ukraine during 1991-2022. The cause of death was deliberate murder, death as a result of terrorist acts and military actions.
In 2021, Ukraine was in 97th place in the "Press Freedom Index". This year, the country lost 9 points, due to the full-scale Russian invasion, including targeted attacks on news sources.
The media landscape in Ukraine is described as diverse by RSF, but one that remains largely under the control of oligarchs, who own all national TV channels – with the exception of the Public Broadcaster.
War Crimes Against Journalists
33 JOURNALISTS ARE KILLED SINCE THE START OF RUSSIA’S FULL SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE
Maks Levin is a journalist who was found dead
Maks Levin, 40, was a famous Ukrainian photojournalist. He disappeared while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine on March 13th, 2022. The bodies of Levin and his friend, serviceman Oleksiy Chernyshov, were found on April 1 near Kyiv. According to the Prosecutor's Office, Levin was killed by Russian soldiers.
It is very likely that Levin was killed by one of the bullets found by "Reporters" on crime scene.
Near the crime scene, physical evidence of the presence of Russians was found.
Members of the 106th airborne division of the Russian Guard or a special forces may be responsible for the murder of Levin and Chernyshov.
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine are heading the investigation of this double murder.
"Reporters" handed over dozens of photographs to Ukrainian law enforcement officers and nine items of physical evidence.
The price for the truth.
Journalist in prison
Oleg Baturin is an investigative journalist from the Kherson region, the city of Nova Kakhovka. He works for the local newspaper "The new day." The Russian invaders held him as a captive for eight days. Oleg miraculously survived.
On February 24th at 12 o’clock, he was informed that the Russian military soldiers entered in Nova Kakhovka. There were no more representatives of the state authorities in the region, neither the police, nor the Security Service of Ukraine, nor the prosecutor's office, they all left the region.
Oleg got a call from a local activist asking to meet up to discuss an important information. The journalist had no idea that the man who spoke to him was already a prisoner of the Russian military. When he went to the place, he was imprisoned, too.
Oleg Baturyn considers himself a lucky survivor. The journalist was released on the eighth day after the abduction. Oleg is convinced: he was detained because of his journalistic activities, but at a certain point the man became simply not interesting to the occupiers. He knew: the Russian military could return again at any moment.
IMI (Institute of Mass Information) is the only organization in Ukraine that monitors freedom of speech in Ukraine. It records and verifies all attacks on journalists, and also creates a reliable list of violations. IMI is a Ukrainian partner of "Reporters without borders." Since February 24, the IMI has provided free rental of protective equipment for journalists working in the war zone.
Iryna Zemlyana is 34 years old media expert and a security coach for journalists. It’s difficult for her to describe her feelings after how her theoretical knowledge she used to share at her security training sessions suddenly turned practical.
The war is not over yet
Austria
Safety with challenges
In Austria, press freedom has been undermined by various political pressures or restrictions on access to information. Violence at public events prevented journalists from reporting freely. (RSF)
Since 1993, there is no recorded case of journalists being killed in Austria.
How is the Press Freedom Index calculated?
Julia Herrnboeck, Reporters Without Borders
Julia Herrnboeck explains the reasons behind Austria's fall down in the Press Freedom Index.
Armin Arbeiter is 31 years old journalist who works as a foreign reporter for the Austrian daily newspaper Kurier.
I think in countries like Austria, you can feel safe as a journalist. Of course, it's not the best situation to be at a demonstration where people are showing the hate to you. Maybe they throw things to you, but they won't kill you.
Georgia
Violence In The Name of God
- 5 Journalist are killed since 1993 in Georgia.
- Press Freedom Index: 89 (180) - 2022
- - 29 points since the year of 2021
In 2021, Georgia faced an unprecedented number of physical assaults on journalists.
Verbal attacks and physical assaults on journalists are common in Georgia, especially against the critical media representatives. Aggressors include senior government officials. (RSF)
"You should be violent in the name of God"was a main slogan of far-right groups, who organised a massive hunt on journalists and LGBTQ community members/supporters in Georgia, on July 5th 2021.
The group of radicals believe that the pride march is here to threaten Georgian identity and traditions, and so does the media people who are tolerant to universal human rights and equality.
Nino Ivanishvili discusses the Georgian media landscape.
50 journalists were attacked by far-right activists in Tbilisi, on 5th of july, 2021. The protestants were holding a demonstration against LGBTQ community in Georgia. Media people covering the protest became a target for violent groups.
The cameraman of TV Pirveli, Alexander Lashkarava died days after getting severe physical injuries at the protest.
Police did not intervene to prevent the bloodshed. Since then, no organizer of the protest was held responsible.
The absence of transparency and of progress in investigations of the event demonstrate the impunity enjoyed by those who commit crimes against journalists. (RSF)
Recommendations for journalists working in a dangerous situations.
Different generations of war journalists
Journalists face various safety issues worldwide. The solutions might vary per context. Critical media representatives are often targeted victims of propaganda, manipulation and various safety threats. Despite that fact, thousands of professionals risk their life to deliver a massive amount of information. For some, it's the way to live.