PRESS RELEASE : Media Freedom Coalition statement on the attack on journalist Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov [July 2023]

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition strongly condemn the attack on renowned independent Russian journalist Elena Milashina and respected lawyer Alexander Nemov in Russia’s Republic of Chechnya on July 4, 2023, and call for accountability for the perpetrators. Freedom of expression, press freedom and the safety of journalists and media workers are indispensable for the flourishing of free, pluralistic, inclusive and democratic societies. The assault on Elena Milashina is an affront to media freedom everywhere.

We echo the widespread condemnation of this attack in Russia and around the world and call on the Russian federal authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the attack on Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov. Those responsible for this crime must be held to account. In this regard we note with concern that the charges against the accused do not include the impediment of the professional activities of a journalist, which is included in the Criminal Code.

Journalists play a crucial role in holding governments and powerful people and institutions to account while informing the public about matters of public interest. The Media Freedom Coalition continues to promote media freedom, the bedrock of democracy and human rights, and to protect the ability of journalists and media workers to carry out their work without fear of violence, intimidation and threats to their lives or safety. We call upon all states and other actors to hold to account those who jeopardize the safety of journalists and media workers.

Signed:

Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States