We demand a prompt investigation: statement regarding the attack on journalist Yurii Makarov

We, Ukrainian journalists and media professionals, are extremely concerned by the attack on Yurii Makarov, a prominent Ukrainian journalist, TV presenter, and executive producer of Suspilne Broadcasting. The attack occurred on the evening of April 16.

Yurii Makarov was stabbed with a knife and has been hospitalized in serious condition. According to the information available, his life is not in danger as of now. We sincerely wish Yurii a speedy and full recovery.

We demand that law enforcement agencies conduct a prompt and comprehensive investigation into this crime.

Yurii Makarov is a prominent Ukrainian journalist, a well-known promoter of Ukrainian culture and language, the author of documentaries such as “Budapest. A Bomb for Independence” and “Waltzing With the System”, a participant in the documentary series “The Last War”, “The Collapse. How Ukrainians Destroyed the Empire of Evil”. We do not rule out that the attack on Makarov might have to do with his reporting and his stance on the Russo–Ukrainian war. We call on law enforcement agencies to promptly and comprehensively investigate this crime, to find the perpetrators and to clearly identify the motives behind the attack on the journalist.

We call on the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to take personal control of the investigation into the attack and to ensure that the public receives regular updates about the progress of the investigation.

Attacks on journalists are unacceptable in a democratic society. Their investigation should be a priority for a state that declares commitment to the principles of freedom of speech and human rights.

For reference. The Media Movement is a community that brings together journalists from leading Ukrainian media, investigative journalists, and experts from media NGOs. Media Movement was launched on February 5, 2019.

The first signatories of the Media Movement Memorandum were UA: Pershyi, Ukrainian Radio, Hromadske Radio, Ukrinform, Interfax-Ukraine, Liga.net, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. Ukraine”, NV, ‘Censor.net’, Channel 5, ‘Ukrainian Week’, Opinion, a number of regional media, NGOs Independent Media Council, Detector Media, Institute of Mass Information, Internews Ukraine, Center for Democracy and Rule of Law, Souspilnist Foundation, National Association of Media, Donetsk Institute of Information, Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy, Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

The Movement was later joined by other organizations and individual journalists: more than 70 participants in total. On November 16, 2021, representatives of prominent media outlets called on journalists to unite in the professional community Media Movement to push back against political and commercial pressure on freedom of speech. The statement was initiated by 29 journalists and experts, their names are available here.

Media Movement

Institute of Mass Information

Suspilne Broadcasting

NGO Detector Media

Souspilnist Foundation

Pylyp Orlyk Institute of Democracy

Human Rights Centre ZMINA

CEDEM

NGO Ukrainian Media and Communications Institute

NGO Women in the Media

NGO Institute of Regional Press Development

IMTUU