Jacob Mathews, president, Wan-Ifra on 31 May wrote a letter to the Wan-Ifra members explaining why the association has moved ahead with the idea of hosting the three major events in Kiev.

“We are going to Kiev to stand in solidarity with the local independent press, which struggles daily under great pressure, often in isolation. By holding our events in Kiev, we will provide them with an opportunity to share their experiences with the international newspaper community, allow them to benefit from international best practices, provide training opportunities, and offer moral support,” wrote Mathews.

Wan-Ifra, along with the Open Society Foundation, Article 19 and Freedom House, had recently conducted a press freedom mission to Ukraine where they held a meeting with local media, civil society organisations and the head of the presidential administration, Serhii Liovochkin.

In the letter, Mathews also wrote, “Wan-Ifra has always believed in engagement, in standing in solidarity with newspaper men and women working in difficult conditions, and in open discussion. There is no greater message than to have the world’s press gather with their Ukrainian colleagues to address their common concerns.”