Opposition leader: Belarus is Europe’s most dangerous country for media

May 3, Pozirk. Being a journalist in Belarus remains a dangerous occupation, opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said on the World Press Freedom Day, calling for support to independent media.
Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials take revenge on independent media for exposing corruption, documenting state-sponsored violence and uncovering facts that authorities want to keep secret, the politician said.
Hundreds of Belarusian journalists forced into exile, where they keep working despite extremist designations in Belarus, she noted.
“We can support independent journalists by reading [the articles] and if it is safe by commenting, subscribing, sharing [content] and donating,” Cichanoŭskaja said. “For as long as independent journalism lives, we form a close-knit community. We know what is happening in Lepiel, Ivacevičy or Čavusy which makes us a little closer to each other.”
Press freedom concerns all Belarusians as they have the right to know what is going on around them and be sure that the problems going to be solved, she said, noting that journalism should serve the people by posing questions and demanding answers from authorities.
Since the 2020 political crisis, more than 500 Belarusian journalists have suffered from politically-motivated reprisals, including arrests, prison terms and harassment. At least 40 media workers remain behind bars, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
RSF Press Freedom Index ranks Belarus in bottom 15
- Politics, SecurityLatvia records irregular crossings via Belarus for 111 consecutive daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyKGB brands Belarusian marketplace, Ukrainian elite unit as “extremist” groupsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SportFIBA upholds suspension of Belarus’ basketball teams – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: 5,000 Uzbek workers to arrive in Viciebsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja grateful to Macron and France for supporting free BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityNine countries join EU sanctions on Belarus’ IzovacThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Economy
- EconomyCentral bank’s net assets decrease in MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelarusian companies’ debts rise by nearly 15 percent in a yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCash in circulation rises by 2.9 percent in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- PoliticsBelarusian ruler’s office remains antagonistic toward French leaders despite high-level contactsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsLaw enforcers harass exiled writer Filipienka over his studies at EHUThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCatholic priest jailed for 15 daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights groups identify seven new political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+


