Media freedom, Belarusian style

On 25 March, many journalists covering the demonstration in Minsk suffered the riot police´s actions. Two days later KGB officers carried out searches all over the country at the offices of independent mass media as well as in journalists´ private homes. Among the victims were Nasha Niva newspaper journalist Dmitry Linkevich, right, who was beaten and detained and Siamen Pechanka, who was detained for 15 days. (18-APR-08)

Based on www.baj.by;  Illustrated by www.nn.by

Siamen Pechanka, left, was detained for 15 days.

On March 27 offices of the Independent Radio Racyja,  EuroRadio and satellite TV channel Belsat, as well as  privet places of the journalists who cooperate with these mass media, have been searched by KGB representatives. The orders for searches stated that the searches are carried out in relation to breaches of article 367 of Belarus´ Criminal Code (“Libel in Relation to the President of Belarus”). The KGB representatives stated that some materials, related to the case, might be stored in the apartments and editorial offices.

It is surprising that during the searches apart from information carriers (computers and hard drives), there were seized the things, which didn’t have any relation to the case, e.g. head-phones, loud speakers, dictaphones, photo cameras, diverse legally printed production etc.». One should note that this criminal case was opened back in August 2005 by the prosecutor´s office of Minsk based on the fact of dissemination of cartoons on the web. The cartoons “damage honor and dignity of Belarus´ president”.

Belarusian human rights activists and the Belarusian Association of Journalists have addressed the international society to pay attention to the deteriorating situation with the freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus. During the PACE session the statement on Belarus was adopted. Statement on the media situation in Belarus by Andrew McIntosh, PACE rapporteur on media freedom Strasbourg, 17 April 2008 calls on the authorities in the Republic of Belarus to return seized material to the journalists, launch investigations into such abuse, and train law enforcement authorities in respecting the fundamental right to freedom of expression of everybody in Belarus including especially journalists.  It supports the constructive criticism by the Belarusian Association of Journalists of the new draft law on information before the National Assembly of Belarus at present. Members of the National Assembly are invited to discuss media legislation with the Sub-Committee on the Media. Freedom of expression of political opinions and freedom of information is a vital element of any democratic society.

The statement continues “state propaganda, absence of media freedom and repression of freedom of opinion cannot be tolerated in a democracy. As emphasised by the Council of Europe since 1997 and debated by the Assembly on 15 April, respect of freedom of expression must be a necessary requirement for any change in the relations of the Belarusian government with the Assembly, in addition to ensuring the independence of the courts, granting parliamentary powers to a democratically elected National Assembly and abolishing the death penalty in Belarus.”