A debate on the protection of European journalists covering Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine took place in Strasbourg during a plenary session of the European Parliament. PiS MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska participated in the debate.
“I don’t need to convince you of how important and dangerous the work is that journalists covering Russia’s war against Ukraine are doing,” said Małgorzata Gosiewska. She stated that “they serve the truth” and pay a high price for it. The Polish politician paid special tribute to Viktoria Roschyn, a 28-year-old Ukrainian journalist who was kidnapped and held by the Russians in one of the most brutal detention centers. “She was on the prisoner exchange list, but unfortunately she did not live to see her return,” Gosiewska said. The MEP reported that an investigation has been launched in Ukraine into yet another Russian war crime and premeditated murder.
“We cannot protect journalists from such risks, but we can establish a European fund that would provide grants and insurance for journalists working in war zones, as well as support for their families,” she argued. She explained that insurance in such areas is often unavailable or very expensive. She added that such a fund could be managed by journalism organizations from frontline countries and from Ukraine. “Let’s establish a fund named after Wiktoria Roszczyna. That would be a concrete step,” Małgorzata Gosiewska urged.
