Journalist’s faked death may hurt press: NATO

BRUSSELS: The staged killing of a journalist in Ukraine risks undermining trust in the media and fuelling propaganda, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned yesterday, reports AFP.

Ukrainian authorities have come under fire for the faked death of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was announced shot dead in a contract-style killing, only to reappear at a news conference the following day.

Press freedom groups have raised fears about the impact the stunt could have on journalists’ work around the world and Stoltenberg added his voice to the chorus of concern.

“I would like to underline that I regret that this incident may undermine trust in the free press and be used to fuel propaganda,” he told reporters.

“I strongly believe that the best way to make sure we are not victims of fake news is that we have a free and independent press.”

There have been warnings that the Babchenko incident would lead to more accusations of “fake news” at a time when the distinction between credible and non-credible sources is becoming ever more crucial.

 

Journalists faked death may hurt press: NATO

BRUSSELS: The staged killing of a journalist in Ukraine risks undermining trust in the media and fuelling propaganda, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned yesterday, reports AFP. Ukrainian authorities have come under fire for the faked death of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was announced shot dead in a contract-style killing, only to reappear at a news conference the following day. Press freedom groups have raised fears about the impact the stunt could have on journalists work around the world and Stoltenberg added his voice to the chorus of concern. I would like to underline that I regret that this incident may undermine trust in the free press and be used to fuel propaganda, he told reporters. I strongly believe that the best way to make sure we are not victims of fake news is that we have a free and independent press. There have been warnings that the Babchenko incident would lead to more accusations of fake news at a time when the distinction between credible and non-credible sources is becoming ever more crucial.