Jakarta-Fusilatnews – The National Board of the Indonesian Citizen Journalist Association (DPN PPWI) has sent a letter of support to the President of the Russian Union of Journalists, urging the organization to address UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) regarding its annual report on journalists and media coverage in the Ukraine-Russia war. The report, deemed biased and favoring Ukraine and its Western allies, prompted PPWI to act. The letter, signed by PPWI Chairman Wilson Lalengke, was dispatched on Wednesday evening, December 11, 2024 (Indonesia time).
In the letter’s opening, Lalengke, on behalf of PPWI, expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for the Russian Union of Journalists’ contributions to upholding journalistic freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety of media workers. PPWI emphasized the critical importance of these values for journalists worldwide.
PPWI stated in its letter that it had carefully analyzed the draft report titled The Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, presented by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay during the 34th session of the Intergovernmental Council for UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication held in Paris on November 21–22, 2024. The organization criticized the report for relying on questionable facts and blatantly overlooking cases of deliberate killings of Russian correspondents by Ukrainian forces and their allies.
PPWI highlighted the deliberate disregard of official information provided by UNESCO member states regarding restrictions, harassment, detentions, torture, and even killings of Russian journalists reporting from the battlefield. Such omissions violate the principles of equality and neutrality expected of an independent international institution. PPWI argued that this stance undermines UNESCO’s constitutional values and tarnishes its reputation as a reliable global organization.
In response to UNESCO’s perceived bias, PPWI expressed solidarity with Russian media workers and fully supported the letter by Vladimir Soloviev, President of the Russian Union of Journalists, addressed to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The Russian journalists’ letter demanded that UNESCO revise its report to include objective data on Russian journalists killed, as well as accounts of violence, threats, and oppression faced by Russian media professionals in Ukraine and Western countries.
PPWI’s letter was accompanied by an International Journalists’ Appeal, urging UNESCO to uphold its independence and neutrality in presenting facts. The appeal called for the UN-affiliated body to act as an impartial referee for all parties, irrespective of nationality, race, religion, or social status, especially in conflict zones like Ukraine and Russia.
UNESCO Terkesan Berat Sebelah, PPWI Dukung Persatuan Wartawan Rusia Surati Lembaga Dunia Itu
