Journalist faces obstacles in covering exhibition in Hrodna

On 13 February, journalist Andrei Mialeshka was not allowed to record the opening of an exhibition entitled “Museum of Chocolate” at the local history and archaeology museum, after an order from first deputy head of ideology of the Hrodna Regional Executive Committee Aliaksandr Viarsotski. He said that the journalist did not have official accreditation, and therefore had no right to take comments and make interviews. After Mialeshka showed an official BAJ ID, he said, the official said that “he could draw a lot of such documents”, and asked the journalist to leave the room.

Andrei Mialeshka is convinced that the incident is another instance of abuse of his right to receive and impart information.