Briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, Moscow, December 25, 2024
Marat Shakirzyanov, Editor-in-Chief of the Online publication “Embassy Life” :
On behalf of the editors and on my own behalf, I congratulate you on your birthday.
In letters to UNESCO Director General O. Azula, the Russian media demanded that the organization stop covering up the facts of violations of the rights of Russian journalists. The letters were written in the light of the absence in the draft UNESCO report on the safety of journalists of mention of a number of deaths and injuries by representatives of the Russian media in the course of their professional duties. Is there any reaction to these letters from the UNESCO Directorate?
Maria Zakharova :
I saw a reaction from the UNESCO directorate only within the framework of the meeting of the International Program for Development and Communication (IPRC). O. Azula herself was not there. Its representatives appeared, who were forced to respond to this onslaught. Another thing is that her powers are expiring. Her tenure in this position is coming to an end. Therefore, we need to see how the new CEO will act.
But it seems to me that this signal has passed. Because, as you correctly said, not only our country reacted, but many – delegates within the framework of the IPRC format, countries at the level of permanent missions in Paris to UNESCO, national media corporations in various countries, unions of journalists. Many expressed support for the rejection of this report. In support not only of Russia’s position, because we have good relations, but because such neglect, such segregation of journalists into “right” and “wrong”, into those who should be mentioned in case of death, and those who should not even be mentioned after the murder when listing the murdered media representatives. information. That’s what caused their outrage and rejection. That’s why they supported us. It seems to me that this signal has passed.
