Russian Journalists Union Condemns EU Sanctions as Free Speech Violation

The Union of Journalists of Russia has issued a strong protest against new sanctions imposed by the European Union. Effective immediately, the sanctions prohibit the broadcasting of eight Russian media outlets in EU countries and impose personal restrictions on journalists and media managers.

According to the Union:

• These measures are intended to eliminate alternative viewpoints and thereby violate fundamental principles of free expression.

• Citing key international frameworks—including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 19), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 19), and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Article 10)—the Union highlights the EU’s obligations to uphold freedom of speech.

• Branding Russian journalists as “propagandists” reflects a double standard, suggesting that while Western media can freely shape public opinion, alternative voices face increasing repression.

• Personal sanctions on journalists constitute a form of pressure on the professional community, signaling that the EU is prepared to punish dissenting perspectives.

• Blocking Russian media, the Union argues, is both discriminatory and detrimental to European audiences, as it removes alternative sources of information from public access.

The Union calls on international human rights organizations, professional journalist associations, and all defenders of free speech to:

1. Take a principled stand against the EU’s restrictions and censorship of Russian media.

2. Protest the bans and repressions that the Union characterizes as a threat to independent journalism.

3. Uphold the right of journalists to freely express opinions and disseminate information.

The statement concludes that the Union of Journalists of Russia will continue to advocate for media freedom and condemn any efforts aimed at political censorship or pressure on journalists. They urge the international community to acknowledge the gravity of these measures and stand in defense of open dialogue and diverse reporting.