Why UOJ is taking defamers to the European Court
The editorial team of the Union of Orthodox Journalists is taking decisive action to defend its reputation against false accusations.
Unfortunately, the UOJ has grown used to the fact that our platform has been under constant attack and defamation since its inception. In Ukraine, it is commonplace now that no one is held accountable for slandering Orthodox Christians – and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. However, in recent times, this defamation has reached the international level, prompting us to respond resolutely.
In particular, some European media outlets have begun publishing materials accusing UOJ of “working for the Kremlin” and labeling it as “pro-Russian.” Notably, these publications often bear the clear influence of Ukrainian sources that actively support the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) – even directly quoting them at times. According to the logic of such outlets, anyone who defends the Church and the truth is automatically branded an “FSB agent,” a “Putin loyalist,” and so forth – without the slightest basis.
In light of this, the UOJ editorial team has decided to defend its rights through legal means.
We issue a Christian warning to journalists and bloggers: you still have the opportunity to delete these materials. Otherwise, any publication about UOJ containing lies and defamation will not go unanswered.
Examples of defamatory publications
In recent months, several false accusations have been leveled against UOJ. Here are some of the most egregious examples:
Example 1: Defamation on Cypriot Channel OmegaLive
On June 6, 2025, during the program ΑΙΧΜΕΣ, journalist Aristidis Viketos claimed that the UOJ website was allegedly “created to promote and support Moscow’s position on the Ukrainian issue.” He also stated that UOJ had claimed “Mount Athos does not belong to Greece.”
These claims are false for the following reasons:
First, the UOJ has never stated that Athos is not part of Greece. Anyone can verify our site’s archives to confirm that no such claims have ever been made. UOJ has merely discussed the special status of Mount Athos, emphasizing its autonomy within the Greek state. We have only published materials about Athos that are also available in other Greek media.
Second, the UOJ has never collaborated with Moscow and has never received (and does not receive) any funding from it. We have no ties to Russian church or state institutions, nor do we take orders from them. We consider these allegations to be serious defamation and will demand that they either be proven in court or retracted.
Example 2: Disinformation in Bulgarian media
An article published on the bntnews website contains numerous false claims about UOJ. The authors portray our site as part of a so-called “Russian religious information influence network,” without offering any evidence for their accusations.
Example 3: Defamation on a Ukrainian website
A piece published on uaorthodox also includes a full array of defamatory claims against UOJ. The authors provide no evidence, relying instead on false and baseless accusations about the site’s supposed “pro-Moscow stance” and alleged Russian funding.
Our position on the war in Ukraine
It is important to emphasize that from the very first day of Russia’s invasion, UOJ has condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Our stance has been and remains unchanged. This is clearly demonstrated by dozens of our articles on the war in Ukraine.
The reason UOJ is being attacked is simple: we speak the truth about the persecution of the UOC. Our materials document the seizures of UOC churches by authorities, clergy, and supporters of the OCU. Yes, the photos and videos often look shocking and outrageous – but that doesn’t make them any less true.
That is why opponents of the UOC, having no other arguments to refute our evidence, resort to labeling UOJ as a Kremlin mouthpiece. An absurd narrative has been created in which anyone who opposes the OCU and defends the UOC’s rights is automatically branded a “Russian agent.”
Our principles and values
The only guiding forces behind UOJ’s editorial policy are the Gospel of Christ, the canons of the Orthodox Church, and the journalist’s duty to report facts and truth about religious life. Our goal is to serve Christ and the Gospel truth – not any political forces or governments.
At the same time, we see it as our duty to defend the freedom of religion and the religious rights of Orthodox Christians around the world.
We believe that conservative Orthodox citizens in all countries – those who honor the canons of the Church and place Christian love, tradition, and the commandments above political trends – must have a voice. With God's help, we strive to be that voice.
Defending freedom of speech and religion
By going to court against defamers, we are defending not only our honor but also fundamental rights: the right to freedom of speech and the right to practice one’s faith. It is unacceptable for any Orthodox publication that does not align with official narratives on Church issues to be automatically labeled a “foreign agent.”
Such practices create a climate of fear and censorship in Orthodox journalism. If today one can slander UOJ with impunity, tomorrow the same could happen to other Orthodox media outlets that dare to voice inconvenient truths.
It is important to understand the context in which UOJ operates. The Orthodox world is undergoing a turbulent period due to the Ukrainian church crisis. Local Churches hold differing views on the recognition of the OCU. This is a normal part of ecclesiastical discourse.
The UOJ consistently upholds the canonical position that the UOC is the only canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine. This view is shared by the overwhelming majority of Local Orthodox Churches and by millions of believers worldwide. Nevertheless, some forces attempt to frame this position as “pro-Russian propaganda.”
Methods of information warfare
Classic information warfare tactics are being used against UOJ: instead of refuting the facts in our publications, our opponents try to discredit us by attaching labels. This is a timeworn strategy – if you can’t refute the information, attack the source.
It is particularly telling that all accusations against UOJ are vague and unsupported by specific examples. No one provides concrete instances of UOJ articles that endorse Russian aggression or praise Moscow’s policies.
At the same time, we would like to thank our readers for their support during this difficult time. Many Orthodox Christians understand that the attacks on UOJ are part of a broader campaign to silence independent voices in Orthodox journalism.
We also call on all Orthodox publications and journalists to unite in defense of the right to freely report on Church affairs. Political agendas must not dictate the editorial policies of religious media.
Orthodox journalism must remain free from political pressure and be grounded in the Gospel principles of truth and justice. We are ready to defend this freedom by all lawful means.
