Pro‑Opposition Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Arrested over Secret Court‑Expert Broadcast
January 30, 2025
Three Journalists Detained by Ukrainian Military Now Face Accreditation Uncertainty
January 30, 2025
¿ Picture by Peter Jordan Story by Jerome Starkey The Sun visits the city of Lysychansk on the otherside of the River Siverski to Sievierdonetsk which is being held by the Ukrainian armed forces against the Russian army. Lysychansk is almost deserted apart from a handful of residents who refuse to leave. The town is under daily shelling from the Russians. Picture shows Sun reporter Jerome Starkey inside the destroyed House of Culture in the town of Lysychansk Today Wednesday 15th June 2022 The Sun Picture by Peter Jordan
January 30, 2025 – Russia/UK –
The Society of Editors and News Media Association (NMA) has strongly condemned a Russian court’s decision on January 30, 2025, to issue an arrest warrant and place The Sun’s defence editor Jerome Starkey on an international wanted list. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accuses him of illegally entering Russian territory from Ukraine to film a report in August 2024.
Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, labeled the warrant as “ridiculous,” stressing the “absolute necessity of a free press during times of conflict” and criticized it as a clear attempt to intimidate journalists reporting from frontline zones. NMA Chief Executive Owen Meredith echoed this sentiment, stating: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this attempt to criminalise and censor legitimate journalism,” affirming that “journalism is not a crime” and reaffirming unified industry backing for Starkey and press freedoms.
The UK government has also rebuked the move. A Downing Street spokesperson described it as “desperate rhetoric from Putin’s government,” noting that British journalists play a pivotal role in exposing atrocities. They emphasized unwavering support for Starkey’s frontline reporting from Ukraine and pledged solidarity with a “free and fearless press”.
Defence Secretary John Healey added that the warrant underscored Putin’s weakness while highlighting Starkey’s “fearless reporting” and The Sun’s strong stance against Russian aggression.
Jerome Starkey responded defiantly, welcoming the attention—“It’s nice to feel wanted”—but warned that the warrant is part of a pattern of intimidation. He emphasized his commitment to continue coverage from within Ukraine, spotlighting Russian war crimes and the human cost of the conflict.
The Sun’s editor, Victoria Newton, condemned the warrant as a product of a “sham Russian court” aiming to suppress accurate reporting from the front lines. She praised Starkey as the first UK journalist to enter occupied Russia since 1856, emphasizing the essential role of free journalism in times of war.
This incident highlights Russia’s broader pattern of suppressing independent journalism. As Western journalists frequently find themselves banned or threatened, media organisations and the UK government are increasingly united in defense of press freedom and London’s support for journalists covering the Ukraine war.
Reference –
