Belarusian Association of Journalists

Articles by Belarusian Association of Journalists

BAJ: Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any democratic society

Since the presidential election of 9 August 2020, Belarusian media have faced unprecedented pressure including the tightening of legal regulations, the recognition of many independent media outlets as “extremist organisations” and their publications as “extremist materials,” the restriction of access to independent media websites, and the mass arrest and detention of journalists.

Belarus: Several activists sentenced over protests

A court in Minsk has sentenced sociologist Tatsyana Vadalaskaya to a lengthy prison sentence while prosecutors in another case have recommended a harsh sentence for journalist Aksana Kolb on charges related to the anti-Lukashenka protests of 2020.

“Journalists are not criminals” stresses BAJ, ahead of 5 media representatives’ trials

Several Belarusian media workers will face trial on a range of charges. Those charged with treason – including former deputy director of BelaPAN Andrei Aliaksandrau and Belsat TV journalist Katsiaryna Andrejeva – face 15 years in prison if convicted.

What you can do to support Belarus’s independent media

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has made a global call to support independent journalism on the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus (February 9). BAJ has provided a guide for how to do this.

Belarus: Former RFE/RL photographer gets 13 days in jail for “disobeying the police”

Uladz Hrydzin was sentenced on 7 February after being found guilty of refusing to follow police orders to let them enter and search his apartment.

Belarus: BAJ demands an end to the use of anti-extremist legislation to restrict freedom of speech

In early November, the Belarusian authorities deemed the BelaPAN news agency and the Belsat TV channel ‘extremist’ organisations, thereby putting journalists, readers, subscribers, and followers of these media organisations at risk of criminal prosecution.

People gather in Krakow, Poland, on 23 May 2021, in solidarity with the Belarusian popular independent news portal TUT.BY, which was blocked by the authorities after a series of raids, Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto

Belarusian authorities designate TUT.by and zerkalo.io as “extremist”

The ruling means that a person or entity will face penalties for distributing any piece of the two websites’ content.

Riot police block a street during an opposition protest, in Minsk, Belarus, 25 October 2020, StringerTASS via Getty Images

Lukašenka launches a purge of Belarusian civil society

The authorities have launched proceedings to liquidate dozens of organizations that work on a wide array of issues ranging from freedom of expression to disability rights to providing assistance to senior citizens.