{"id":185988,"date":"2026-05-03T12:12:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T09:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/185988\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T12:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T09:12:28","slug":"cichanouskaja-on-press-freedom-day-regime-fears-truth","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/185988\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja on Press Freedom Day: regime fears truth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Global Look Press)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May 3, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Telling the truth in Belarus has become increasingly dangerous, with every journalistic piece now carrying not only professional responsibility but also personal risk, Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has said on World Press Freedom Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian journalists who do their jobs honestly pay a high price for it with arrests, imprisonment and forced exile, she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, I want to thank all journalists \u2014 those in prison, in exile, and inside the country who continue to work,\u201d the politician said on X. \u201cTruth is the greatest threat to the regime and the greatest value for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While all Belarusian independent media now operate from abroad, about 80 percent of their audience remains inside the country, highlighting both journalists\u2019 professionalism and the strong public demand for independent, reliable information, Cichano\u016dskaja noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities in Belarus have equated criticism, solidarity, advocacy, free media and free expression to extremism and terrorism following the crackdown on 2020 postelection protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 22 media workers are held behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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