News on the topic: mass media
19.05.2008 Nasha Niva Freelancer Arrested for 5 Days
Jaraslau Stseshyk, a Nasha Niva newspaper freelance journalist, is convicted to 5 days of administrative arrest.
15.05.2008 Journalists of Hantsavitski Chas are denied accreditation again
The journalists of the non-state newspaper Hantsavitski Chas were again denied accreditation at Hatsavichy district soviet of deputies. The first denial was issued by the presidium of the soviet of deputies and the second one – by Brest oblast soviet of deputies. Its chairman Ashmiantsau insists that ‘state organ is not obliged to give accreditation to journalists’ and refers to some ‘discrediting of the state organs’ and ‘misinformation of the population in mass media’ as the reasons for which a state organ can refuse to accredit media correspondents.
13.05.2008 Prosecutor’s office interrogates BelSat coordinator
Recently the coordinator of the BelSat satellite TV channel for Belarus Eduard Melnikau has received summons to the prosecutor’s office of Minsk. However, the reasons were not specified in the document. When Melnikau phoned to the investigator and asked him, the investigator seemed to be surprised. ‘Don’t you know yet?’ he asked.
12.05.2008 Cherykau: police threaten journalist-veteran with arrest on Victory Day
In the town of Cherykau Mikalai Tsarkou, editor of the Cherykauskiya Naviny newspaper, and Siarhei Panizoutsau, its photo correspondent, were prohibited to take photos of participants of the official demonstration in the honor of the Victory Day. The acting chairman of Cherykau police, major Raikou explained that by their actions the journalists allegedly hindered the action. The policemen tried to detain them and take to a police department.
08.05.2008 Prosecutor’s office upholds KGB actions against independent journalists
Homel oblast KGB office found no law violations in the actions of the persons who had conducted a search in the apartment of the journalist Anatol Hatouchyts, member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and took away his instruments of labor. The return of the confiscated items depends on the ‘organ by which the criminal investigation is lead’.
08.05.2008 Reporters Without Borders stands for Hazeta Slonimskaya
Reporters Without Borders condemns an eviction order and other efforts by local authorities to harass the weekly Hazeta Slonimskaya, the only independent newspaper in the western region of Hrodna. Its editor, Uladzimir Valadashchuk, appealed to readers for support on 30 April.
08.05.2008 Harassment of Hazeta Slonimskaya going on
The head of the psychoneurologic department of Slonim central district hospital received a letter signed by the head of the local branch of the KGB Aliaksandr Mazalkou with an order to check the editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper Hazeta Slonimskaya Viktar Valadashchuk and his relatives, whether they are listed in databases of psychoneurologic and narcological dispensaries.
05.05.2008 Police prohibit handing out non-state press
3 May is celebrated as the Universal Day of Press. At 12 a.m. representatives of the United Democratic Forces (including members of the Belarusian Popular Front party, the United Civil Party, the Party of Communists Belarusian, etc.) gathered near the Main Post Office in Minsk to mark this day by handing out to passers-by the officially registered non-state newspapers: Narodnaya Volia, Nasha Niva and Tovarishch. Bear in mind, that the state retail and subscription monopolist on press Belsayuzdruk, neither sells these newspapers, nor provides subscription to them, all because of their ‘oppositional’ content.
02.05.2008 1 May action brings detentions and arrests
About 30 activists of the civil campaign European Belarus were detained yesterday near the National Library in Minsk suburb Uruccha where pro-regime trade unions were celebrating May Day. Among the detained are Yauhen Afnahel, Andrei Babitski, Zmitser Barodka, the Young Front leaders Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Zmitser Khvedaruk, and chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikola Statkevich.
30.04.2008 Minsk city public prosecutor’s office to examine once again an issue of the return of journalists’ property
The issue of returning computers and other property to journalists, confiscated during the searches of 27 and 28 March, «will be dealt with once again after the given property is examined». This is stated in another letter from Minsk City Public Prosecutor’s Office in response to an appeal of BAJ.
30.04.2008 Belarus is among 10 countries with the worst situation on the freedom of press
In advance of World Press Freedom Day, on May 3rd, Freedom House has released its annual survey of global press freedom. Belarus is in 188th place out of 195 in Freedom of the Press 2008 ranking. Here is the report on Belarus by Freedom House.
30.04.2008 “Media in Belarus’2008” exhibition took place without independent media participating
Officials received diplomas for the best publications on the issue of state building. The prizes were awarded during the opening ceremony of the 12th «Media in Belarus» International Exhibition on Monday in «Belexpo» Exhibition Center. According to a BAJ Press Service correspondent’s observation, there are no independent civil and political newspapers represented at the exhibition.
14.04.2008 Journalist Shobin addresses Prosecutor’s office
The journalists that suffered from searches by the KGB on March 27 and 28 have filed a number of complaints with the Prosecutor’s office. One of them, BAJ Babruisk member Andrei Shobin, is going to appeal against the searches and regain his personal things that were confiscated.
11.04.2008 BAJ claim redirected
Belarusian general prosecutor’s office has redirected the claim received from Belarusian Association of Journalists to its Minsk office. General Prosecutor Vasilevich said that ‘the claim would be considered in detail’. BAJ is trying to receive explanations concerning the searches conducted in independent media offices in late March.
08.04.2008 Minsk authorities struggle against satellite dishes
Minsk owners of satellite antennas received instructions from utility and municipal services. By 7 April they must file documents allowing installing dishes and air conditioners.
