Andrei Bastunets: Liberalisation in sphere of mass media ended

Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists comments on the denial of the authorities to register “Mahilyouski chas” newspaper.

“I have an impression that liberalisation in the sphere of mass media has ended. And notably, it didn’t end today or yesterday, but a few months ago,” the lawyer of the journalists’ association stated in an interview to Euramost.org.

“In the beginning of the year we really said that under the new law on mass media registration of mass media looks more liberal than under the earlier law. However I would like to note that even so we said it falls short of democratic norms. But today we see that even this little step forward turns into two steps back recently. The situation is like this not only with Mahilyou newspaper, but also with newspapers in Maryina Horka and Vorsha,” Andrei Bastunets said.

“Under the law, editors-in-chief allegedly shouldn’t get approvals for registration from local authorities, but everything is done on a higher level. But even when registration goes off well, later independent news outlets appear in uneven economic conditions as compared to official mass media. And the so-called Community Council has given disappointment. Newspapers which stayed outside the state distribution network, still failed to join this network,” the deputy chairman of the BAJ said.

The lawyer of the journalists’ association has also commented on the meeting of the deputy head of presidential administration, Natallya Pyatkevich, with representatives of international organisations.

“Actually, it’s good this visit has taken place. Recently they simply had no opportunities to come here. As for the position expressed by official structures or officials… I have a feeling they have learnt and have formed a habit of saying what is required at this moment, what some people want to hear, what somebody needs to be said. But in any case, they are saying the things that bear no relation to the reality,” Andrei Bastunets stressed.