On 28 June, the Belarusian Parliament passed a new law that, according to OSCE´s Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Belarusian Association of Journalists and Reporters without Borders, puts further restrictions on Belarusian media, including Internet based media. Representatives of the European Democratic institutions and International Organizations condemn the Belarusian media law and call on the authorities to change it in accordance to the European standards. (03-JUL-08)
For related articles see the article New law on Mass Media approved by Parliament.
The new version of Belarusian Media Law was passed by the House of Representatives on 24 June and approved by the Upper Parliamentary Chamber, The Council of the Republic, four days later despite severe criticism from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ). According to BAJ, the bill will allow the government to require online media outlets to apply for state registration and all non-registered online news sources irrespective of their origin might be blocked. The bill could also open up for baaning of activities of non-accredited journalists working for foreign media outlets and prohibit Belarusian media outlets from receiving financial and technical support from foreign private persons and organizations unless they are co-founders. Media outlets would be made liable to punishment for “distributing false information that can cause damage to state or public interests.”
European rapporteur urges Minsk not to enact new Media Law
Andrea Rigoni (to the right), special rapporteur on Belarus in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), has urged Minsk to refrain from enacting a new media law.“Once this legislation comes into force, it will restrict freedom of information in the country even further, especially when it comes to electronic media, and will extend the power of the authorities to in¬terfere with media activities in a way which is contrary to European standards. What is more, even before its entry into force, the new draft law is bound to have a chilling effect of self-censorship on the media. Given the forthcoming parliamentary elections, this gives particular and acute cause for concern”, he said
“…missed opportunity for the Belarusian authorities…”
Benita Ferrero-Waldner (to the left), European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, condemns the passing on 27 June of the new Law on Mass Media in Belarus.”I deplore the adoption by Belarus parliament of a new Media Law that will further restrict the freedom of the press in Belarus. I regret that this law fails to take up the recommendations of Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, who had cooperated with the Belarusian administration. This is a missed opportunity for the Belarusian authorities to improve the media conditions in Belarus and thus take a step towards democratization. Freedom of the press is an essential element of democracy and I urge the Belarusian authorities to remedy this situation ahead of the parliamentary elections of 28 September. I reiterate the EU´s offer to Belarus for further engagement provided that Belarus takes convincing steps towards democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, including the release of all political prisoners, the freedom of the media and the democratic conduct of parliamentary elections. Such positive steps would allow for the EU to positively respond”.
An appeal to withhold adoption
Eight influential international organizations sent their letters to the President of Belarus Alaksandr Lukashenka and the Council of Republic with an appeal to withhold adoption of a new media law that can “make even more restrictive what is already an unduly harsh regulatory regime for the media” in Belarus. There were such appeals signed by OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti, International Federation of Journalists, Àrticle19, Human Rights House Foundation, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian Pen Centre, The Danish Union of Journalists, Index on Censorship and Civic Belarus.
