Ukrainian reporters demand replacement for military press officer who won’t let them work in Kherson Oblast

A number of Ukrainian journalists are demanding that the country’s military leadership replace Natalia Humeniuk, the head of the Joint Coordination Press Centre of the Operational Command Pivden (South). The reporters say she forbids covering Russian war crimes and does not allow them to film the defenders of Kherson Oblast.

Source: the journalists’ statement on IMI website

Details: The statement was sent to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Minister of Defence Rustem Umierov and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Anatolii Barhylevych.

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Quote: “We are convinced that the person who manages the Operational Command Pivden (South) communications during the war must be able to interact adequately and professionally with the media, understand the extreme importance of covering events from the contact line, the need to document and draw attention to the crimes of the Russians and in no case impose unjustified restrictions that impede the work of journalists.”

Details: The media also demand that journalists be allowed access to the districts of Kherson and neighbouring territories where key events are taking place, taking into account the requirements of Order No. 73 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

Quote: “These territories were blocked by Natalia Humeniuk for an unreasonably long time, which led to disastrous information consequences for Ukraine.”

“The most outrageous case was the ban on entry to flooded towns and villages in Kherson Oblast on the day of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant destruction – the world media was packed with references to the testimony of Russian propaganda media outlets, as there was almost no information from us. 

Later, Humeniuk forbade us to record the suffering of Ukrainians in some villages where water disappeared due to the HPP explosion, and forbade us to film the bottom of the reservoir, which had dried up.”

Details: The journalists note that, unlike in other areas, there is no access to hospitals and stabilisation centres in Kherson Oblast where injured defenders and civilians are treated.

Ukrainska Pravda quotes the journalists’ demands:

“We demand:

• that Natalia Humeniuk be replaced with a more competent person, which would not allow her to be involved in any communications management. We are convinced that the person who manages the communications of the Operational Command Pivden (South) during the war must be able to adequately and professionally interact with the media, understand the extreme importance of covering events from the contact line, the need to document and draw attention to the crimes of the Russians, and in no case impose unjustified restrictions that impede the work of journalists.
• that access of journalists to the districts of Kherson and neighbouring territories where key events are taking place be allowed, taking into account the requirements of Order No. 73 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These territories were unjustifiably blocked by Natalia Humeniuk for a long time, which led to disastrous information consequences for Ukraine.
• the existing rules of operation of the press centres of the Operational Command Pivden and the combined newly created Tavriia Operational Strategic Group of Forces (formerly known as Odesa and Tavriia) be reviewed, as their work could have been affected by the recent appointment of Natalia Humeniuk. It is important to review the existing rules and procedures for the work of the press services of the military formations to avoid cases of excessive and unjustified control and restrictions that impede the coverage and documentation of events of great importance to Ukraine.
• Please make every effort to ensure that journalists do not have to write another letter regarding the unacceptability of Hanna Malyar (former Deputy Defence Minister – ed.) heading any communication structures of the Defence Forces. Individuals in key communications positions must have the proper skills and reputation to perform their duties as required, especially in times of war”.

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