The world day of freedom of the press is celebrated on the 3rd of May. Independent press is the main part of any democratic state and the institute of authorities’ activity control.The present day, according to «Freedom House» research of the level of freedom of press around the world, Belarus takes 185th place out of 194 possible. (04-MAY-06)
According to www.euramost.org, www.charter97.org
Photos by www.invictory.org, www.skaji.net
Vindictive actions against independent newspapers.
Already 11 years ago in Belarus, after Lukashenka’s statement that “mass media did not answer to his call to give straight coverage of the situation in the republic”, direct vindictive actions were hold against some independent newspapers.
From year to year authorities toughen up the procedure of registration for independent mass media; limit the right of journalists to publish materials inclusive criticism of officials; make problems for foreign mass media to distribute their publications in Belarus and etc. The amount of journalists, who were killed, were subject to physical attack or threats grows every year.
The criminal cases in relation to journalists, in whose publications the sharp criticism of upper officials is, are brought to the court.
“Delicate” way of pressure.
For some time past the authorities began to use more ‘delicate’ way of pressure – economical one. The state bodies give far-fetched notices to some independent mass media and cease its issue. Some of them were assessed so big fines that even editor’s offices could not pay them out. State monopolist “Belpost” regularly advance the rate for the delivery of independent newspapers; editor’s offices are constantly visited by auditors. Besides this “Belpost” and “Belsoyuzpechat” unilaterally terminate contract on distribution of independent mass media.
Belarus is next to North Korea.
The head of Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) Zhanna Litvina noticed that in different lists Belarus neighbors with the countries, which have negative situation with the freedom of the press as North Korea, Cuba and Libya. “In this day we, Belarusian journalists, have nothing to congratulate each other with. Belarus still remains the last European country, where state monopoly above mass media is in actual fact established. The present day the existence of the free press in our country is placed in jeopardy.”
Official Minsk
The celebration of the world day of freedom of the press in Belarus is only in traditions of independent mass media. Official Minsk considers the 5th of May as the Day of Press- the day of the first issue of Bolshevist newspaper “Pravda” (“Truth”) in 1912 year.
In opinion of state newspaper’s “SB Belarus Today” journalist (http://www.sb.by) “native mass media can show and be proud of many things. There are a lot of achievements of mass media for the last year. New publications are issued in worthy European format (moreover for some time past more and more of them are registered). ”
