In response to latest attack on reporters in North Caucasus, Russian journalists announce new labor union

The staff at Mediazona, a news outlet that reports on Russia's criminal justice system, has announced the creation of a new labor union devoted to protecting the “professional rights of journalists.” The announcement follows a brutal attack yesterday in Ingushetia, where masked men attacked several reporters and human rights activists, before setting their car on fire.

“Past attacks on our colleagues have gone unpunished, as is the case with the journalist Oleg Kashin. Our colleagues are in prison on absurd charges, as is the case with RBC's reporter Alexander Sokolov,” says a statement by Mediazona's staff, arguing that there's no organization in Russia today that's capable of effectively representing journalists' interests. 

The structure of the union isn't yet entirely clear, but Mediazona reporters are calling on journalists throughout Russia to join individually, and also to form local chapters at their own media outlets.

We hope to use the legal system and take advantage of collective action to protect our rights, including in cases of dismissals, layoffs, and persecution for doing our jobs.