Readers donate €17,000 to Reform.by in two days

December 23, Pozirk. Reform.by has received more than €17,000 from 280 donors in the last two days after announcing its financial difficulties.

One of them has contributed €10,000, the news website said. The money will cover the salaries of two journalists and hosting costs.

The newsroom was also contacted by “small foundations and representatives of several European NGOs that have small unspent balances at the end of the year.” They are expected to transfer these funds to Reform.by next week.

In addition, the newsroom was offered “other solutions.” “After this wave of solidarity, we will not close Reform.by no matter what,” they said in a statement.

On December 21, Reform.by editor in chief Fiodar Paŭlučenka told Pozirk that the website was on the verge of closure amid financial constraints, after failing to raise enough funds from European donors. Donors’ approach to supporting journalists could lead to the destruction of Belarusian media in exile, he said.

Reform.by urged its readers to donate via DonorBox or the BySol Foundation and to subscribe to its Telegram channel.