Journalists’ union shut down in Russia 

UNI Europa joins the European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) in condemning moves by the Russian authorities to shut down the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU). 

A court order was sent to the union on 5 July informing of the decision to dissolve the union and for a suspension of its activities. The union had been given a 3-day deadline to submit a swathe of documents including details of the organisation’s accounts, details of rallies, seminars, round tables, trainings and presentations, texts of radio and TV speeches of the organisation’s representatives.  

“Strong journalist unions are core to democratic societies. Without information, people cannot hope to hold their leaders to account. This deeply authoritarian tactic will further isolate working people in Russia. We stand resolutely with our sister union federation, the EFJ, in condemning this attack on journalists and on democracy,” said Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa. 

Read the ETF/ITF statement here.

[Picture credit: JMWU]