The International Trade Association for the Broadcast & Media Industry stands with many in deploring the unjustifiable and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Alongside his ruthless military assault, Putin is employing media technology to support his disinformation campaign while silencing those who would tell the truth. IABM has already taken its own steps to the extent that we can and – most importantly – at the request of a number of our members, we are now creating a dedicated platform for our members who are like minded to express their support with and for the people of Ukraine in these exceptional times.
It is IABM’s aim to act as a facilitator and catalyst, at the request of our members, to help coordinate any supportive voluntary statements received from members about their stance on the conflict, any pledges to provide humanitarian aid for Ukraine or any pledges to suspend product support or shipments to Russia – and any other actions they taking during this challenging and turbulent period.
We will publish a ‘live rolling’ statement of those members who have pledged financial support to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Through our dedicated page and via all our communication channels, we will consolidate the views, opinions and actions of those organisations in our large global membership who wish to respond and participate in this initiative on a collective basis. In so doing, we hope to harness a powerful and cohesive voice representing the views of our members across the world and their support to help address the humanitarian crisis that is rapidly unfolding across Europe.
Ross Video CEO, David Ross, said when suggesting that IABM could create this forum, “I’m confident that many companies would like to take a public stand in the face of true tyranny that is openly threatening Europe and a regime that is now likely guilty of crimes against humanity. This is especially true since our equipment and software is enabling the Russian propaganda machine, and IABM is the best organization to coordinate those who want to make a statement similar to what Ross Video has made. I’m fully aware that being in the media industry, our tools are always used to promote a wide range of ideas which inevitably will not align with our own personal beliefs. That’s normal, we sell typewriters, not content as it were. This isn’t about differing ideas, this is about doing what we can to hinder naked aggression towards a European democracy.”
To have your name added to the collective pledges, Click the button below. If you would also like to submit your own statement, please email it to info@theiabm.org. Below are individual statements already received from a number of our members together with some donation links you may find useful.
We thank you for taking the time to read our statement and look forward to hearing from our members from across the world.
Actions taken to date in the global media and broadcast industry:
- Russian state-backed news broadcasters RT and Sputnik have been banned from broadcasting in the bloc by the EU.
- As a result of these sanctions, RT has also been removed from its transmission slot in the UK.
- Ofcom is currently investigating 27 of RT’s programmes and its coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- All3Media International, BBC Studios, ITV Studios and Freemantle have all suspended sales to Russia.
- Apple and Google have joined other technology brands in halting product sales in Russia. This also means services like Apple Pay and Apple Maps being limited.
- Netflix has announced that it has paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia.
- Situation in Ukraine prompts reactions from NRAs across Europe
- Disney Pauses All Business in Russia, with the Hollywood giant’s linear TV channels, consumer products — even cruise ships and National Geographic magazine — all to be put on hold in the country.
