Press release

Director-General condemns killing of photographer Maksim Levin in Ukraine

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has denounced the killing of photographer and videographer Maksim Levin, whose body was found in a village north of Kyiv, Ukraine, on 2 April.
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I condemn the killing of Maksim Levin. I strongly call for the protection of all media personnel, who are tirelessly doing their job to keep the world informed about the situation on the ground. Photojournalists are first-hand witnesses in a war, their images can be powerful antidotes to disinformation.
Audrey Azoulay
Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General

Maksim Levin, 41 years old, was a photographer and videographer who was working for a Ukrainian news website and was a long-time contributor to the news agency Reuters. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) had reported that Mr. Levin had been missing since 13 March.

In March, UNESCO announced new measures to protect journalists in Ukraine, including the provision of protective equipment and accelerated training, especially for those who do not have experience working in conflict zones.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

 

See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

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