Russia has sharply criticized a report by UNESCO on the safety of journalists, accusing the agency of political bias and misinformation. The report, presented by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay during a resumed meeting of the 34th session of the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO’s International Programme for Development and Communication (IPDC) on December 13, was notably not approved but “taken note of” after a controversial vote. This marks the first time in IPDC history that UNESCO’s biennial report on journalist safety and impunity for crimes against them was not approved by consensus.
The report, which covers incidents from 2022-2023, faced strong opposition from Russia for what it described as its deliberate omission of targeted killings of Russian journalists by the Ukrainian regime. The report was backed by 14 countries, primarily Western allies, but faced opposition from 21 countries, with many abstaining or voting against it, casting doubts on its accuracy and objectivity.
In a strongly worded statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the report for distorting the true state of journalist safety, accusing UNESCO’s Secretariat of producing a “misleading and politically charged” document. Russia claimed the report systematically ignored the brutal killings of Russian correspondents, particularly those committed by Ukrainian forces, despite well-documented evidence.
Russia’s Rejection of the UNESCO Report
Zakharova emphasized that Russia could not accept a report that grossly misrepresented the situation of journalist safety for political reasons, calling it a “source of misinformation.” She expressed particular outrage over the report’s failure to acknowledge the killings of Russian journalists, which, according to Moscow, constitutes a deliberate attempt to divert attention from Ukraine’s human rights abuses.
The Russian delegation also raised concerns over the report’s methodology, which it argued lacked transparency and was developed without proper approval from member states. The methodology, which prioritized information from NGOs rather than official data from sovereign countries, was described as undermining the intergovernmental nature of UNESCO. This process, Russia contends, not only disregarded the voice of the Global South but also manipulated the issue of media safety to suit the political agendas of the West.
A Blow to UNESCO’s Credibility
Russia’s strong opposition to the report was echoed by a broad coalition of journalist unions, including the Union of Journalists of Russia and the Union of Journalists of Moscow, which sent an open letter to Audrey Azoulay protesting the report. Over 100 media outlets and organizations, both from Russia and abroad, signed the letter, calling for the recognition of the targeted violence against Russian journalists.
The controversy around the report has raised serious questions about the impartiality of the UNESCO Secretariat under Azoulay’s leadership. Zakharova warned that the scandal would have lasting consequences for both Azoulay’s reputation and UNESCO’s credibility as a neutral institution. “The countries of the ‘collective West’ have discredited themselves by demonstrating their real commitment to protecting the safety of journalists and their respect for human life,” she said, adding that the Global South had seen through the West’s “empty slogans” about media pluralism and freedom of speech.
Impact on Global Dialogue on Press Freedom
While the report was ultimately not approved, Russia’s rejection highlights a broader divide in the international community over the issue of press freedom, especially in conflict zones. The United States and its allies have long portrayed themselves as champions of media freedom, but Moscow’s objections suggest that such claims are increasingly seen as hollow in the context of the current geopolitical tensions.
Russia’s statement further underlined its opposition to what it perceives as the imposition of a “rules-based world order” that favors the interests of a narrow group of Western countries. Zakharova made it clear that Russia will not tolerate what it sees as the politicization of UNESCO’s mandate and will continue to push for reforms within the organization. She pledged that Russia, together with like-minded countries from the Global South, would stand for the principles outlined in the UN and UNESCO charters, principles that, according to her, are being eroded by the current leadership of the agency.
Future of UNESCO’s Role in Media Freedom
The controversy surrounding the report is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the role of UNESCO in promoting global media freedom. Many countries from the Global South have expressed frustration at what they perceive as a lack of fairness in the way UNESCO handles issues related to press freedom and journalist safety. Moscow’s objections could prompt further scrutiny of the organization’s practices and lead to calls for greater transparency and impartiality in its reporting.
The issue is expected to be revisited at upcoming UNESCO governing body meetings, where Russia has indicated it will continue to press for a reevaluation of the organization’s approach to media safety, particularly in conflict zones. Zakharova concluded her statement by emphasizing that Russia remains committed to defending the safety of journalists worldwide, but will not tolerate biased reports that distort the reality on the ground.
“We will not condone the continued preparation of such pseudo-statistical reports to serve the narrow interests of a select few,” she stated. “We will continue to stand for truth and justice, and for the principles that UNESCO was founded upon.”
This disagreement over the UNESCO report is a significant moment in the ongoing global discourse on media freedom, and it underscores the increasing polarization of international institutions amidst wider geopolitical struggles.