Escalating attacks on the media — censorship of four newspapers; dismissals of two editors; publishing rights denied

Source: Journalists’ Union of Belarus (JUB) The IFJ is extremely concerned at recent developments in the Belarus media in the past month. The Journalists’ Union of Belarus (JUB) reports that three newspapers — “Sovetskaja Belarus”, “Zvezda”, and “Respublika” — have appeared with blank spaces where an article on political corruption was due to be published, […]

Source: Journalists’ Union of Belarus (JUB)

The IFJ is extremely concerned at recent developments in the
Belarus media in the past month. The Journalists’ Union of
Belarus (JUB) reports that three newspapers — “Sovetskaja
Belarus”, “Zvezda”, and “Respublika” — have appeared with blank
spaces where an article on political corruption was due to be
published, and that “Naronaja Gazeta” has been unable to publish.
Furthermore, JUB reports that the editor of “Sovetskaja Belarus”,
Igor Usinskij (also reported as Osimski), has been dismissed by
presidential decree and that Nikoaj Kernoga, editor-in-chief of
“Respublika”, has been relieved of his duties. Usinskij was
replaced after protesting the banning of the eight papers. In
addition, the JUB says that the major printing house in the
country is operated under the most severe political direction and
that as a direct result of intervention by the administration,
the independent newspapers “Svoboda”, “Femida”, “Belaruskaja
Delovaj Gazeta” and four others were deprived of publishing
rights (effectively banned) on 3 January 1995.
The IFJ is calling for recognition of the grave developments in
Belarus and an expression of solidarity with Belarus journalists
in their struggle for freedom of expression and opinion.

Recommended Action

President Aleksander Lukashenko

Minsk 220010

Belarus Republic