12:00, 28 November 2009

Kazakov: media should feel free in covering war on terror

Yuri Kazakov (left). Photo by the "Caucasian Knot"

Journalism requires freedom even in aspects of counteracting and preventing terrorism; it should not be an instrument of authorities' propaganda. This was stated by Yuri Kazakov, former head of the state inspectorate for defence of the freedom of the press, and now an expert of the Fund in Defence of Glasnost and member of the Public Board on Complaints on Press, at the recent roundtable held in Moscow.

"Journalism is a profession requiring a high degree of freedom; journalism shall not grow into propaganda, moreover - into special propaganda, especially when we talk terrorism with you," the expert believes.

According to Mr Kazakov, self-censorship "is one of most disrespected and intolerable words for a journalist." "Self-censorship is a very bad version of censorship, which is provoked from within by external pressure, which forces us to be afraid of everything in the world and elude debates," he said.

Author: Dmitry Florin

Source: CK correspondent