Work in the war zone: the government approved a decree on compensation for the death of journalists

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a government decree on how to pay compensation to editors if their journalist died or was injured in the course of the work entrusted to him in special conditions.

We are talking about coverage of events in the territories of Russia, where martial law has been introduced, military operations are underway, armed conflicts are in operation, and counter-terrorism operations are being conducted. Such rules also apply to the territory of foreign states where a state of emergency is imposed or where military operations are taking place.

If the journalist is dead, then his editorial board must pay at least 2 million rubles to his family - equally to parents (if they are dependent), husband or wife, or children under 23 years of age. The editorial office is also obliged to notify his relatives about the possibility of receiving compensation within five days after the death of the journalist.

The resolution also defines a package of documents that a relative of a deceased journalist will have to provide - an application (in any form), copies of a passport, death certificate, documents confirming kinship and others.

Other payments are provided for those journalists who, as a result of work in places with special conditions, have lost their ability to work. The degree of disability will be determined by the medical and social state examination.

If we are talking about the loss of more than 90% of disability, then payments should be at least 1 million rubles. If less than 90% - a minimum of 100 thousand rubles for every 10%. Compensation also applies to the payment of emergency or emergency care in a foreign country — the editors will have to pay it in this case, but this amount should not exceed 2 million rubles.

In case the journalist suffered so that he cannot move independently, his employer must pay for his return to Russia. A payment of up to 1 million rubles is provided for this. The same amount must be paid to deliver the body of the deceased journalist to Russia.

“Lump-sum compensation in the amount stipulated by paragraph 2 of these rules shall be paid regardless of the payments established by the Federal Law“ On Compulsory Social Insurance against Occupational Accidents and Occupational Diseases, ”the document emphasizes.

After the journalist’s relative or he himself filed documents for compensation, the editorial office should consider them in a maximum of 10 days. Then, within 30 business days, make all payments. However, if the employer delays payments, a penalty is charged - 0.5% for each day of delay.

Moreover, if the editorial office has concluded an agreement on voluntary insurance of an employee, it will not have to pay compensation. But in this case, the amount should not be lower than provided for by the decision.

The amount of payments is approved in article 47.1 of the Law “On Mass Media” regarding the work of a journalist in special conditions. The resolution, signed by Medvedev and published on September 19, clarifies the procedure for these payments.

“So that we will find out what is really happening”

December 15 is Russia’s Memorial Day for journalists who died in the line of duty. It was established in 1991 in memory of correspondent Viktor Nogin and cameraman Gennady Kurinn, who died that year during the conflict in Yugoslavia.

Several Russian journalists died in 2014 in southeastern Ukraine. Among them are RIA Novosti special photo correspondent Andrei Stenin, Channel One operator Anatoly Klyan, correspondent and sound engineer of Rossiya TV channel Igor Kornelyuk.

According to the international non-governmental organization Committee to protect journalists, in 2018, 88 journalists were killed, most of all in Afghanistan, Mexico, Syria and Yemen. In July 2017, Syrian war correspondent Khaled al-Khatib died in Syria. He covered the operation of the Syrian army against terrorists from the Islamic State *.

“And every day there are people who go on their first military mission, on their second, on their one hundred and first, they die there, and every day there are new ones. Therefore, it is so important on December 15, and on any other day, to simply remember the people who died as Khaled died - for the love of their homeland and for the love of truth. They died so that you and I would find out what is really happening, ”said Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT.

* “Islamic State” (ISIS, ISIS) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.