Archive
31.12.2023
Belarusian media workers behind bars. Portraits
As campaigning for the 2020 elections began, the Belarusian authorities launched a war on journalists and independent media. They were stripped of their press cards, beaten, shot with rubber bullets, arrested and detained for weeks, and charged with criminal offenses. Since then, journalists have been arrested on more than 500 occasions. The Belarusian Association of Journalists monitors all cases of harassment of journalists and media workers. Below, you will find information on those imprisoned on criminal charges.
27.09.2023
Homel videographer Andrei Tolchyn detained for 72 hours
This is reported by the Homel chapter of Viasna.
26.09.2023
Australian TV journalist joins Solidarity Marathon in support of Andrzej Poczobut
The marathon in solidarity with imprisoned journalists continues. This time the campaign initiated by BAJ was supported by Australian journalist Steve Cannon, who now lives in London. He heads the European bureau of the ABC television network.
25.09.2023
Vyachaslau Lazarau has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison, while his wife, Tatsiana Pytsko, has received a three-year sentence
Vyachaslau Lazarau, a freelance videographer from Vitsebsk, has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison, while his wife, Tatsiana Pytsko, has received a three-year sentence.
21.09.2023
Belarusian propagandist attempts to infiltrate democratic milieux in Vilnius and Warsaw
Herman Napolski regularly attends press conferences and official events and is familiar to Belarusian journalists.
19.09.2023
Formerly imprisoned journalist Siarhei Hardzievich detained at border crossing
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists' source, Siarhei Hardzievich was detained on September 14 at the Brest border checkpoint as he was returning to Belarus from Poland.
15.09.2023
Rehijanalnaja Hazeta chief editor to be tried on September 27
Aliaksandr Mantsevich, Rehijanalnaja Hazeta’s chief editor, will be tried in Maladzechna. Judge Aliaksei Irshyn will preside over the case, reports the Viasna Human Rights Center. Mantsevich was arrested on March 15 after his house in Vileika was searched and has been in custody ever since. The journalist is charged with discrediting the state.
13.09.2023
Physical threats, disinformation, censorship. Six modern challenges for the media
Belarusian independent journalism has been in a troubled zone in recent years. Despite the difficulties, media professionals feel that things have become more stable, even with the profession’s repression and criminalization. During the roundtable discussion arranged by BAJ and the Mixer journalist organization (Poland), evaluations were made.
12.09.2023
Free Word contest organizers name winners. PHOTOS
Today, on the International Day of Solidarity with Journalists, the winners of the Free Word, a major creative contest of independent journalists of Belarus, were announced. This year’s prize takers were received in Vilnius. The contest was held under the auspices of the European Federation of Journalists.
06.09.2023
Postcards for Maryna: RSF launches global campaign action in support of jailed Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is launching a new global action as part of its ongoing campaign for the release of jailed Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava. Supporters around the world are encouraged to send letters and cards in solidarity with Zolatava, to be delivered to the Belarusian embassies in several countries on 6 November, Zolatava’s 46th birthday.