Zhanna Litvina: “Belarusian mediasphere has found itself in the epicenter of repressions”
5
17:28, — Politics
The leader of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) is concerned about unveiled repressions against journalists.
Zhanna Litvina, the head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, made a report at the Conference of the Civil Society National Forum “Roadmap of European Partnership for Belarus” held in Minsk on July 5-6. The BAJ press service spreads extracts from the report.
“The mediasphere has found itself in the epicenter of repressions… today, the activity of the mass media in Belarus is blocked by restricting access to information; unequal economic conditions have been created and a ban on the distribution system has been imposed, allowing distribution only for state-run press.
We are concerned about the unveiled repressions against journalists that have recently been tightened. One of the examples is that four my colleagues, whom I consider stars of the Belarusian journalism (Svyatlana Kalinkina, Iryna Khalip, Maryna Koktysh, and Natallya Radzina – remark by BAJ press service), are constantly being interrogated in connection with a criminal case initiated to defend honour and dignity of a KGB general. Though they are witnesses in the case, the situation is very unpleasant – office equipment seized is now considered material evidence. This looks very sad…
When the Eastern Partnership programme was launched a year ago, when Belarus joined it, we had many hopes the programme will work. The government failed to fulfill its promises to improve the situation with the media. No progress has been made in the country.
Changes should be started with reforming the mediasphere, refusing monopoly of the authorities in information space.”
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