Donetsk, Sep 22 — DAN. Some 130 representatives of mass media outlets from the new regions have joined the Russian Union of Journalists, said RUJ chairman Vladimir Solovyov.
“About 40 membership cards will be issued in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to the journalists who have already been admitted to the RUJ, ” Solovyov told TASS. “An increasing number of media personnel from the new Russian regions wish to be a part of the association.”
Solovyov visited the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics earlier this month where he presented some 90 RUJ membership cards to local media representatives. In Donetsk, 29 people received RUJ membership cards including representatives of the mainstream media such as the Donetsk News Agency.
On March 7, the RUJ held a meeting in Donetsk over the establishment of its regional branch.
The Russian Union of Journalists is the largest all-Russian non-political creative public association which protects the interests of Russian journalists. It brings together about 70,000 people. The RUJ is led by well-known television presenter and political observer Vladimir Solovyov (not to be confused with the Evening with Vladimir Solovyov show host on the Russia-1 channel). The DPR established the Union of Journalists in April 2015. Alexander Zakharchenko, the DPR’s first Head, was one of the honorary members of the association.*jk