(IFJ/IFEX) – The IFJ is concerned at recent attacks on the independent media in Belarus. According to the IFJ’s information, the State Committee for Press of Belarus has issued warnings to six independent newspapers, “Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta”, “Nasha Niva”, “Naviny”, “Narodnaya Volya”, “Pahonya” and “Svobodnye Novosti” for allegedly “calling for the seizure of power.” **For […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The IFJ is concerned at recent attacks on the independent
media in Belarus. According to the IFJ’s information, the State
Committee for Press of Belarus has issued warnings to six independent
newspapers, “Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta”, “Nasha Niva”, “Naviny”,
“Narodnaya Volya”, “Pahonya” and “Svobodnye Novosti” for allegedly
“calling for the seizure of power.”
**For background to recent harassment of Belarus media, see IFEX alerts
of 24 December, 4 November and 5 August 1998**
The allegations arise out of publications relating to presidential
elections. The IFJ fully supports its member organisation the Belarusian
Association of Journalists in its campaign for journalists’ rights to
exercise their profession free from harassment of any kind.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
which follow various other attempts to silence the independent media,
including refusal of advertising, threats of closure, and legal actions
for journalists’ rights to exercise their profession free from
harassment
Appeals To
Alexander Lukashenko
President
Minsk, Belarus
Fax: +375 172 23 58 25 / 26 06 10
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
