https://arab.news/92aqf
- 'Worrying trend of journalism around the world being criminalized and then used in this way,' says WSJ foreign correspondent
- Russia formally charged WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich with espionage, reports TASS
LONDON: There is a worrying trend in which journalists are being used as tokens to broker deals, the Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Kalin told Arab News.
“We’re seeing a worrying trend of journalism around the world being criminalized and then used in this way, and journalists being used as tokens,” Kalin, a foreign correspondent with WSJ who is based in the Gulf, told Arab News.
“That’s really not acceptable in any place,” he said.
Moscow has formally charged WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich with espionage, Russian news agencies reported Friday, adding that he had denied the accusations.
His arrest has prompted an outcry from media outlets and rights groups, as well as government officials in Washington.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained” — terminology used for political hostages.
“Journalism is not a crime,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in a statement. “We call for the Russian Federation to immediately release Mr. Gershkovich.”
Kalin explained: “The (US) administration has been very communicative with our institution, our newspaper, and responsive to our concerns that this is extremely serious and that we need their full attention to help secure his release.
“The wrongful detention designation is useful because it opens up some new channels within the US government. There’s a hostage office inside of the White House, represented by Roger Carstens.”
Kalin, like many of his colleagues, understands the dangers that come with reporting from a war zone.
“Evan is a journalist. He’s got a long history of conducting journalism in Russia and outside of Russia...He’s well-known in the journalism community. He’s well-known to the Russian authorities as an accredited journalist,” Kalin said.
“The charges against him are really ludicrous, as far as we can tell. They’re politically motivated…He’s sort of caught in a bigger political struggle.”
The Kremlin, through its spokesperson, downplayed the US designation.
“The United States could and should protect the rights of its citizen who was caught red-handed (and) violated the relevant laws of the Russian Federation. He is suspected of such. Naturally, the decision will be made by the court. (That’s) all there is to say,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Russia's imprisonment of Gershkovich was "totally illegal," adding that “it changes the dynamic,” AFP news agency reported.