The Italian ambassador to Russia was summoned by the Kremlin over what was described as an “illegal border crossing” made by two journalists from the Italian state television RAI.
This week, Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini reported from parts of Russia's Kursk region that are held by Ukraine.
In a statement published on its website, the foreign ministry said: “A strong protest was expressed to the ambassador in connection with the actions of the film crew of Italian state television and radio company RAI, which illegally entered the territory of the Russian Federation.”
The Italian foreign ministry informed Reuters that the ambassador, Cecilia Piccioni, clarified to the Russian authorities that RAI and its news teams operate “in a completely independent and autonomous manner.”
The European Federation of Journalists condemned these threats saying that such intimidations “amount to censorship and are aimed to prevent public opinion from being informed about ongoing operations” “We stand in solidarity with Stefania, Simone and all media workers risking their life to report from conflict zones” said President of National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergiy Tomilenko.
“Their bravery is essential for a free and informed society. Such intimidation tactics by Moscow are unacceptable and violate international legal standards protecting journalists,” he added.
RAI aired on Wednesday the first foreign media report from the Russian town of Sudzha, which was captured early in Ukraine’s offensive against Russia last week. The Italian crew appeared to be accompanied by Ukrainian military personnel and aired footage of the war-damaged town.
Earlier that Friday, a Telegram channel connected to Russian law enforcement, Baza, reported that the country’s interior ministry was contemplating initiating criminal proceedings against two RAI journalists for illegally crossing the Russian border.
In a statement published on its website, the foreign ministry said: “A strong protest was expressed to the ambassador in connection with the actions of the film crew of Italian state television and radio company RAI, which illegally entered the territory of the Russian Federation.”
The Italian foreign ministry informed Reuters that the ambassador, Cecilia Piccioni, clarified to the Russian authorities that RAI and its news teams operate “in a completely independent and autonomous manner.”
The European Federation of Journalists condemned these threats saying that such intimidations “amount to censorship and are aimed to prevent public opinion from being informed about ongoing operations” “We stand in solidarity with Stefania, Simone and all media workers risking their life to report from conflict zones” said President of National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergiy Tomilenko.
“Their bravery is essential for a free and informed society. Such intimidation tactics by Moscow are unacceptable and violate international legal standards protecting journalists,” he added.
RAI aired on Wednesday the first foreign media report from the Russian town of Sudzha, which was captured early in Ukraine’s offensive against Russia last week. The Italian crew appeared to be accompanied by Ukrainian military personnel and aired footage of the war-damaged town.
Earlier that Friday, a Telegram channel connected to Russian law enforcement, Baza, reported that the country’s interior ministry was contemplating initiating criminal proceedings against two RAI journalists for illegally crossing the Russian border.
Source: Reuters, TVP World
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