The Society of Professional Journalists established a fund through its SPJ Foundation to support Ukrainian journalists as they continue reporting during the Russian invasion.
“A key part of SPJ’s mission is to improve and protect journalism and to encourage a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely. This is difficult enough in a war zone but doubly so when journalists become targets just for doing their jobs,” said SPJ Foundation President Hagit Limor.
Russian forces invading Ukraine have targeted groups of journalists with drones and sniper fire. Sixty-six Ukrainian journalists have been killed, 10 while carrying out their professional duties. Russian secret police have arrived in newly occupied areas with lists of journalists to arrest. Twenty-two journalists have been kidnapped. Most are still being held in occupied areas.
The invasion also has forced 233 media outlets to close, some because of shelling, with other television facilities and editorial offices seized, including all the equipment necessary for reporting.
Read about the fund at: SPJ News.
DC Chapter Treasurer and SPJ International Community Co-Chair Dan Kubiske talked with Limor about the fund and how journalists in the US can help.