The ministry of information of Belarus has issued "official warning" to the social and political newspaper "Narodnaja Volia" because of spread of incorrect information (article 4 of Media Law). The reason for this sanction was the information put in the article about the places in Minsk where the newspaper can be bought cheaper (on discounts). The ministry views this word (discount) as improper one because "the is no legal discounts for the newspaper" – it was said in the document signed by the new media minister Aleh Praliaskouski.

Meanwhile the Belarus law says that two official warnings to the can lead to the closing of the media source (the article 51).

"To warn a newspaper, to let it be published or to abolish the permission to exist – it is not the question of executing the Balarusian law – it is basically the question of political will – says the deputy chairman of Belarus Journalist association, a layer Andrei Bastunets. – The ministry of information can use the "warning tool" on any small-scale reason.
    
To make an official complain against the warning is is quite expensive and the independent medias do not really believe that the state court can solve the problem. But this is not a problem of medias, it is a problem of Belarusian justice and law system, which is designed to make obstacle for free media development. Our association was raising this question during the debates on this law in the parliament."

"Hazieta Slonimskaja": the continuing confrontation
On December 28 the office of "Hazieta Slonimskaja" in Slonim (Hrodna region, West Belarus) got the letter in which the officials refused to register the local newspaper. The local government is arguing in this letter that there is one official newspaper in the region and there is no need of another one to inform about the local government activities.

In the letter of the chairman of Slonim regional govement Dzmitry Dzeshka it is said that the information about the sessions of the local goverment is provided by the state newspaper "Slonimski Viesnik", which is the official instrument of our body".

"It is a pity that the Slonim authorities have no will to communicate with our newspaper – says the chairman of "Hazieta Slonimskaja" office Viktar Valadashchuk – it is easier to be silent for the bureaucrats. It is a common thing that they refused to register us".

On November 25 the newspaper "Hazieta Slonimskaja" has sent the official letter to the regional government office responsible for information and social issues with request to register some journalists to monitor the work of local government.

There is no official response yet.