Officials call for press freedom in Crimea

Officials call for press freedom in Crimea

TV channel closures and attacks on journalists spark international calls for the protection of media freedom.

Russian TV channels have replaced many Ukraine stations. [AFP]

Media experts and journalism associations worldwide condemned the continuous closure of television channels and attacks on journalists in Crimea, and are urging officials to protect press freedom in Ukraine.

"Extreme censorship, shutting down media outlets and press hubs and attacks and intimidation of journalists must stop immediately," Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE's representative for freedom of the media, told SETimes.

In times of crisis, he said, people must have unimpeded access to a plurality of media sources, or else they can be subjected to the worst kind of propaganda.

''Those who introduce censorship of the media have no place in a democracy," Mijatovic said. "I reiterate my call to those responsible for law and order in Crimea to stop this destruction of freedom of the media and do their utmost to ensure safety of journalists. The final responsibility lies with them."

The terrestrial signals of Ukrainian television stations Inter, Briz, 1+1, 5 Channel, 1st National, and STB have been cut, along with the signal of the independent Chernomorskaya TV. They were replaced with Russian channels NTV, 1st Channel, Rossiya 24, Rossiya RTR, TNT and Zvezda. The internet connection of Crimean Tatar ATR channel is also down.

"Officials from Kiev are not able to protect journalists in Crimea, they have no influence in Crimea. Separatists and Russian troops there are providing Russian-style media work," Artur Rudzitsky, chief of Ukraine's wing of the Association of European Journalists, told...