Journalists criticize idea to close the trade union of media workers

The version of the prosecutor's office that the work of the Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers violates people's rights is illogical; and the demand to close the union for individual violations looks like an attempt to deprive journalists of the support of their professional community, they assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 13, a hearing was held at a Moscow court on the lawsuit of the prosecutor's office that demanded to liquidate the "Trade Union of Journalists and Mass Media Workers". Its work was suspended on July 4 within the case of discrediting the army.

The claims against the trade union include publication of posts that discredit the Russian Armed Forces and fakes about the special operation in Ukraine, and support for journalists, Ivan Safronov and Svetlana Prokopyeva, accused of justifying terrorism.

Maxim Shevchenko, a journalist, has treated the actions of the prosecutor's office as absurd. He believes that the work of the trade union leads to the observance of human rights and freedoms, and not to violations thereof.

The liquidation of the trade union affects the interests of a large number of people, Eva Merkachova, a member of the Presidential Council for Human Rights, has stated. According to her version, this is a blow on journalists.

According to Said Bitsoev, a journalist, in Russia "there is not a single organization to defend journalists' interests."