Journalism groups urge media to be 'on the side of peace' in coverage of Ukraine invasion

Photo: Canva

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Five journalism organizations have urged the media to do "peace journalism" when covering Russia's invasion of Ukraine and warned against misleading and false information spreading on both conventional and social media.

"The press has a supervisory duty in ensuring social peace. Journalists have to inform the public exercising freedom of the press and expression within the framework of universal ethical values," the groups said in a joint statement.

CLICK - BİA Peace Journalism Handbook 

CLICK - From constructive journalism to peace journalism 

"The duty of media organizations regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine that would set the world on fire is to do journalism in favor of peace and by complying with ethical values.

"However, we witness irresponsible opinions of warmongering that disregard the lives of civilians are spread in TV programs. On social media, we see false and misleading news and articles.

"Yet we should not forget that journalists and writers have a historic responsibility to be on the side of peace. According to the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Journalists of Turkey, journalists defend universal values of humanity, especially peace, democracy, rule of law and secularism, and pluralism and respect for differences. They avoid reporting fueling hatred and enmity between nations and peoples.

A social media user says CNN Türk broadcast a clip he had shared from a video game as "new footage" from Ukraine:

Medyamız yine şaşırtmıyor. 16 Ocak'ta paylaştığım oyun videosunu yeni görüntü diye sunmuşlar https://t.co/roxIrs7AO8 pic.twitter.com/RfgIS6TKjC

— Emre Kumcu ???????????????? (@Alfred_Bubi) February 28, 2022

"When reporting on national and international politics, they first of all consider the public's right to information, the basic principles of the profession and the criteria of liberal democracy.

"Journalists should not distort, mislead or misguide when sharing news content on their social media accounts, websites and blogs.

"We are calling on journalists and writers to fulfill the responsibility of being the eyes and ears of the public during the crisis between Russia and Ukraine that has grown into a war.

"We expect Russia and Ukraine to ensure the life safety of journalists working for peoples' right to information and learn the truth."

The statement was released by the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC), the Turkish Writers' Union (TYS), the Turkish Publishers Association (TYB), PEN Writers Association and the Contemporary Journalists Association İstanbul Branch. (AÖ/VK)