European Journalists Call for More Protection After Ukraine Murder

Journalists across Europe are calling on governments to give them more protection in an increasingly dangerous environment following the latest death of a reporter gunned down in Kiev on April 16.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), said they were "appalled" by the murder of journalist Oles Buzina, gunned down on April 16, near his house in Kiev.

Both Federations have demanded an immediate and independent investigation into his death.

Buzina was a controversial figure in Kiev as a journalist, TV presenter and former editor-in-chief of the Russian language Kiev-based newspaper Segodnia. He was known for his pro-Russia views and was a key witness in a criminal case related to a pro-Russia rally in Kiev.

#Kiev: IFJ/EFJ, appalled by killing of #journalist #OlesBuzina, ask 4 investigation http://t.co/bbjVTsRiwE @EFJEUROPE pic.twitter.com/YapXnyCDj5

— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) April 17, 2015

Previously in 2012 he had run for a seat in parliament on the Party of the Regions ticket.

Ukrainien photographer, Serguiï Nikolaïev, working for daily Kiev-based Segodnia, killed by a mortar shell in Piski close to Donetsk airport

— Jim Boumelha (@JimBoumel) February 28, 2015

IFJ President Jim Boumelha told Sputnik:

"We were all very shocked by his killing. For quite a long time, there hadn't been any killings, so we thought that maybe the situation had improved. But suddenly we've got another killing.

"He may or may not have been a controversial figure, but journalists must never be targeted for their reporting or their views. We have demanded a swift and independent investigation."

His death comes eight months after the death of Rossiya Segodnya's photojournalist Andrei Stenin who went missing on August 5, 2014 in eastern Ukraine while on an editorial assignment. In September 2014, investigators confirmed that Stenin died near the city of Donetsk. He was awarded the Russian Order of Courage posthumously for bravery and heroism in the performance of his professional duties.

European Risk Alert Platform

The Council of Europe has joined the IFJ, EFJ and other journalistic organizations in launching a new internet platform aimed at protecting journalism and promoting the safety of journalists. It is designed to issue alerts concerning media freedom threats and will bring them to the attention of the Council of Europe institutions. 

Jim Boumelha told Sputnik:

"The initiative raises awareness every time a journalist is targeted and we make a fuss about it. Secondly, it gives us the opportunity to tell governments to do something about it. Either to conduct proper independent investigations after every single targeting of journalists, or else highlight the fact that they have to comply with their obligation in international law — they have to protect journalists."