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May 12, 2026 – Russia/Ukraine –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has formally expelled the Russian Union of Journalists following a final decision taken at its 32nd Congress in Paris, marking the culmination of a multi-year disciplinary process linked to the organisation’s activities during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The decision ends the Russian union’s suspended membership status and removes it entirely from the global federation representing media workers.
According to reports from the IFJ Congress proceedings, the expulsion followed a recommendation by the federation’s Appeals Commission, which had reviewed earlier findings that the Russian union acted in ways deemed inconsistent with IFJ principles. The organisation had been under suspension since 2023, when its membership was frozen due to concerns over its role in supporting or aligning with state-backed media structures established in occupied Ukrainian territories.
The final decision was taken during the Paris congress held from 4 to 7 May 2026, where delegates from multiple national journalist unions participated in discussions marking the IFJ’s centenary. The Russian Union of Journalists did not attend the congress and did not submit a formal appeal through the federation’s established procedures, according to IFJ representatives cited in multiple reports.
Journalist associations supporting the motion argued that the Russian union’s involvement in creating or legitimizing branches in occupied regions of Ukraine represented a breach of professional and ethical standards expected of IFJ affiliates. Critics also pointed to broader concerns about media independence and the use of journalism institutions within state-aligned information structures during wartime.
Ukrainian journalist organizations, which had campaigned for the expulsion since the early stages of the conflict, welcomed the decision and described it as a necessary step to uphold journalistic ethics and solidarity with reporters affected by the war. Delegations from Ukraine were also present at the congress, where they highlighted ongoing risks faced by journalists operating in conflict zones.
The IFJ stated that the decision was not taken lightly but reflected the outcome of a structured disciplinary process that began shortly after the 2022 invasion and included an initial suspension in 2023. The federation emphasized that the action was grounded in its statutes governing conduct contrary to its core principles of press freedom and professional integrity.
The expulsion underscores broader tensions within global journalism organisations over how to address conflicts involving state influence, occupation, and the role of media bodies in contested territories.
Reference –
https://bernama.com/en/world/news.php?id=2554643
Russia’s journalist union expelled from the International Federation of Journalists
