Belarusian Media Being Screwed up

Freelance journalists working without accreditation are under attack of the government again.

Belarusian News informs that the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) recorded 10 legal proceedings against journalists in 2014. Fines made up Br52.05 million. There were 30 legal proceedings in 2015, and fines equaled to Br146.78 million. However, in August-December freelance journalists were not tried.

Problems have occurred in new year. There have been three hearings in January, fines made up Br18.27 million.

In fact, journalists are found guilty of cooperation with foreign media without accreditation. But there is no corresponding article in the Administrative Code (AC). So, freelancers are tried under Article 22.9 "Illegal production and dissemination of information". Although only an editorial office may implement such activity.

In January journalist Larysa Shchyrakova (Homel region) was fined Br4.62 million and Kanstantyn Zhukouski - fines of Br7.35 million and Br6.3 million.

In the mid-January the BAJ directed an appeal to the Lukashenka's administration in connection with a new wave of persecution of journalists.

The BAJ notes that on August 4, 2015 while answering questions on persecution of journalists Lukashenka said: I think this is stupidity... To restrict is out of my principles. I will explore the problem. As well as these fines. People have no such money and I understand it. I promise this issue to be explored. Not because of the meeting, but, I guess, you are right."

There were no new cases against freelance journalists initiated. It was positively estimated by the BAJ. However, now the situation has changed. The BAJ considers reactivation of persecution inappropriate. It offers to explore issues laid out in the appeal at the meeting with organisations and people involved.

Lawyer Andrei Bastunets, Chairman of the BAJ, stresses that fines under Article 22.9 AC are wrong in legal terms.

"Every time we pay attention that this article cannot be applied to journalists who make materials, Bastunets informed BelaPAN. - But all our reasons are still out of sight. There were no changes in assertion of jurisdiction even after Lukashenka's promise to explore the issue."

He does not expect major improvements in the Belarusian media amid relation normalization between Minsk and the West.

"I don't think that the law on media may be changed for the better. Even amid this relation normalization. The practice shows that jurisdiction has always aggravated, Bastunets stressed.