EACA STATEMENT – EACA Suspends Institutional Relationship with Russia and Belarus

EACA Suspends Institutional Relationship with Russia and Belarus

The European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) strongly condemns Russia’s recent invasion and ongoing, unjustifiable aggression in Ukraine. This action is a despicable attack on peace and democracy in Europe. As such, we firmly stand with the people of Ukraine.

As a trade association, we normally remain a politically neutral body promoting the interests of the business sector and do not engage in politics nor take positions on geopolitical issues. However, this unprecedented and tragic situation has compelled the EACA Board and Management Committee to take the decision of suspending its relationships with the Russian Association of Communications Agencies and the Association of Communication and Marketing Agencies of Belarus as part of a concerted effort to isolate Russian and Belarusian Institutions from the international community.  

EACA understands the destructive power of disinformation and is deeply concerned about the impact of fake news and disinformation during this conflict. For several years, EACA has been working diligently to ensure that advertising does not fund nor contribute to false and misleading content. EACA continues to redouble its efforts to strengthen commitments in the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation and to further develop industry best practices through the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM).

To our Ukrainian friends and colleagues, we would like to offer our full support in a tangible and meaningful manner.  Member agencies across Europe have already reacted by offering relocation and funding initiatives for displaced communication professionals and agency associations are also making match-making work possibilities available to support a well-known, talented Ukrainian pool of communication individuals. We will continue discussions with our membership on how to coordinate and support these activities moving forward.