On the 11th of September 2006 three journalists of Belarusian independent editions have got Dzmitry Zavadsky Award. This is a prize to their professionalism and courage, because only courage people can give objective information, knowing that they can be beaten or arrested in any moment. Here are these heroes’ names- Aleg Ulevich, Andrei Dinko and Yulia Darashkevich.(11-SEP-06)
Based on www.svaboda.org
Belarus has to celebrate the World Day of Freedom of Press about head down. It is one of the world’s top ten countries where freedom of speech is nothing more than front. The information field is monopolized by state mass media that -put it mildly- are not always non-partisan. The authorities put ceiling amount of the obstacles for the independent editions’ existing – fines, detentions, arrests, refuse to cooperate and etc. To be Belarusian journalist today means almost the same as to be a stuntman. The sanctity of journalists is not allowed by ruling powers.
Nevertheless, there are many dignified people who are not afraid to give true information to people. Three of such journalists became Dmitry Zavadsky Award winners on the 11th of September 2006- award to professionalism and courage. This prize is bestowed by Public Russian Television channel (PRT), Belarusian Association of Journalists and Dzmitry Zavadsky Foundation. Here they are- Aleg Ulevich – “Komsomolskaya truth in Belarus” correspondent, Andrei Dinko- “Nasha Niva” editor and Yulia Darashkevich – newspaper photographer.
This prize was initiated 6 years ago by PRT journalists after their colleague cameraman Dzmitry Zavadsky was abducted in Belarus in July 2000. Former soldiers of Special Forces unit “Almaz” were charged in this crime. But Dmitry’s fate is still unknown. This crime was admitted a political one by international society.
SWAT soldiers and policemen have detained tens of Belarusian and international journalists during this year presidential campaign. Aleg Ulevich was detained and beaten by SWAT, but public prosecutions department did not initiate any criminal proceedings to the guilty persons.
“This award is a good moral support for the independent journalists”-said Aleg Ulevich,-“We need to feel that objective information is necessary for our society, that there is a meaning in our safety contribution in order to see and tell the truth”
Andrei Dinko, “Nasha Niva” editor, was detained while he was carrying food for the tent- camp participants in Minsk. The journalist was charged in disorderly conduct and sentenced for 10 days of prison.
“Nasha Niva” is the only Belarusian-language independent newspaper in Belarus. This year is its centenary. The authorities did not include it into the subscription catalogue. You also can not buy “Nasha Niva” at the newspaper stall. The only financial course for it is citizens’ donations.
“The professionalism in our conditions is conscience and belief”, -said Andrei Dinko, -“This award is not for me, not even for our newspaper journalists. This award today is the award for three thousand families that donate to our newspaper’s edition”
