19.08.2010 “Reporters without borders” go to bat for Belarusian oppositional newspapers

The new law on mass media gives the authorities a possibility to tighten control on the press.

As BelaPAN informs, the international human rights organization “Reporters without Borders” has condemned stepping up pressure on mass media in Belarus in the run-up to the presidential elections.

11.08.2010 Brest official cuts circulation of local independent newspaper

Vasil Mareika, head of the Brestablsayuzdruk state distribution system, ordered to cut the circulation of the Brestski kurier independent newspaper by two-thirds, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports quoting the newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Mikalai Aliaksandrau.

11.08.2010 Prosecutor Office issued warning to Belsat journalist for a report about heat

Tatsyana Bublikava received an official warning for her journalistic activities without accreditation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Supervision agencies considered legality of her work in connection with an application from an agronomist of Uritskaye agricultural production co-operative, “Salidarnasts” reports.

09.08.2010 Police seize newspaper Krynica in Hrodna

Mikola Bausyuk, a coordinator of the committee to organize the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, was detained in Hrodna, carrying the copies of Krynica newspaper, reports Radio Svaboda.

02.08.2010 OSCE criticizes mass media freedom in Belarus

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovich has come out in the support of Belarusian journalists.

On 30 July, Dunja Mijatovich has delivered her first report at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. In the report on two dozens of the OSCE participating States, to which Mijatovich addressed with different questions concerning freedom of mass media, Belarus is mentioned as well, Radio Svaboda informs.

30.07.2010 Ales Ramanovich's case: to be continued

The trial of the administrative case of a member of the Belarusian Popular Front and the For Freedom movement Ales Ramanovich was postponed to 10 a.m. on 10 August. Yesterday, the Pinsk Town and District Court started reviewing the case after the earlier verdict had been reversed by the Brest Region Court.

28.07.2010 Private socio-political weekly ‘Nasha Niva’ got two warnings at once

In one week the newspaper has received two warnings from the Information Ministry for publications indirectly related to Godfather, a documentary about Aliaksandr Lukashenka broadcast on the Russian TV channel NTV.

21.07.2010 Journalist of Radio 'Racyja' denied accreditation again

The Ministry of Justice dismissed another application for accreditation of Viktar Parfionenka, a journalist for Radio 'Racyja'. The previous application, submitted to the ministry a year ago, had been rejected as well.

20.07.2010 Belarusian Association of Journalists and editors of socio-political newspapers express support to 'Salidarnasts'

19 July editors of the leading independent media of Belarus made a joint statement to support the Salidarnasts (www.gazetaby.com) independent online publication that is pressurized by trade union officials.

16.07.2010 Panamarou's counsel solicits for closing criminal case

On 15 July, a Kletsk democratic activist Siarhei Panamarou paid a visit to the Minsk District Procuracy. He was informed about the end of the investigation of the criminal case against him and prented official charges: insult of state officials.

14.07.2010 Vialeika internet resource accused of defamation and insults

The popular regional website vialejka.org hasn’t been working for a week as two criminal cases have been instigated against it.

13.07.2010 Grammar mistakes can hinder registration of websites

According to the BelTA information agency, more than 16,000 of websites passed the procedure of the state registration in Belarus.

13.07.2010 Siarhei Ustsinau: ‘We’ve got questions on Decree #60 and we’ll be asking them’

On 12 July, human rights defender Siarei Ustsinau lodged with the Leninski District Court of Minsk a claim against the Presidential Administration in connection with the enforcement of Decree #60. According to the activist, some provisions of this decree violate the right to privacy.

12.07.2010 Circulation of ‘Volny Horad’ newspaper arrested by police

According to the editor, Siarhei Niarouny, the newspaper published a material about the scandalous film Godfather (about Aliaksandr Lukashenka) broadcast by the Russian NTV Channel. The journalist supposes this caused the arrest of the paper.

09.07.2010 'Nasha' Niva' newspaper removed from newsstands

The sale of the private socio-political newspaper Nasha Niva at the state newsstands was stopped after the publication of the article Godfather Surrenders.