NUJU Suspends Journalists' Certificates in Odesa Amid Data Scandal

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine has suspended the issuance of journalists' certificates through its Odesa regional organization. The reason for this is a high-profile conflict with its chairman, Yuriy Rabotin, who is accused of passing personal data of journalists to an unauthorized person whom the media associates with pro-Russian groups.

According to the head of the NUJU, Serhiy Tomilenko, this decision was made following a meeting of the Working Group held on April 10.

Therefore, for the period of consideration of the situation, the NUJU suspends the admission of new members through the Odesa branch, as well as the transfer of forms of certificates and press cards to Odesa. At the same time, journalists from the Odesa region can apply for membership through any other regional center.

The scandal erupted after a public appeal by a group of Odesa journalists who said that Yuriy Rabotin had passed their personal data to the lawyer of the accused of creating a militant group. The journalists in question were, in particular, those currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The NUJU emphasized that the safety of media workers is an absolute priority, especially in times of war, so the disclosure of personal data is categorically unacceptable.

Rabotin denied the accusations, calling the situation a "social experiment" and filed a lawsuit against the journalists who publicly appealed for protection. He also did not participate in the online meeting of the NUJU Working Group and did not provide explanations for the accusations, which further aggravated the situation.

Now the NUJU is demanding that the board of the Odesa regional organization hold a meeting by April 18 to clarify all the circumstances. Based on its results, the Working Group will prepare proposals for the Board of the Union.

Earlier, Yuriy Rabotin's name was mentioned in media scandals, and the Myrotvorets website called him a separatist.

As a reminder, Odesa media workers called on the head of the Odesa branch of the National Union of Journalists, Yuriy Rabotin, to resign and accused him of passing their personal data to Oleg Maltsev, who is accused of creating a combat group to overthrow the government.

Yuriy Rabotin himself told Intent that he would not comment on the open letter for now.

Ірина Глухова