In Crimea, more journalists report attacks, obstruction
New York, March 18, 2014–At least six journalists have been assaulted, detained, or obstructed from reporting in the southern Ukrainian autonomous republic of Crimea in the past two days, according to news reports.
The climate of press freedom in the region has continued to erode following a referendum on Sunday in which Crimean authorities declared independence from Ukraine. The poll was declared illegal by Ukraine and Western governments. Crimean authorities today signed an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will allow the peninsula to join Russia. Journalists covering the regional crisis since early Marchhave been subjected to arbitrary detentions, harassment, and obstruction, according to news reports.