On World Press Freedom Day, 33 journalists remain jailed in Belarus as independent media face persecution
On World Press Freedom Day, 33 journalists remain behind bars in Belarus as independent media face persecution
May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day, a day established in 1993 by the UN General Assembly to recognize the importance of a free, pluralistic, and independent press in a democratic society. However, in Belarus, authorities continue to suppress this freedom by targeting independent media and imprisoning 33 media representatives for politically motivated reasons. Viasna reports the current state of independent media in the country and tells how to support imprisoned journalists.
World Press Freedom Day serves as an annual reminder that press freedom and freedom of expression are fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These freedoms are essential for strengthening democracy and promoting the free exchange of information and ideas in society.
In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the UN offers the international community a chance to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while carrying out their duties, reinforcing the determination to protect and ensure the safety of journalists worldwide. On May 3, the UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded for contributions to press freedom, established in 1997 in memory of the editor of the Colombian daily newspaper "El Espectador". Guillermo Cano was killed in 1986 for criticizing powerful drug cartels operating in his country. The award is given to individuals or organizations that have contributed to the protection of freedom of expression in various countries, especially when their activities are life-threatening.
- Belarusian journalists at a rally in defense of freedom of speech. 30 August 1997. Photo: Reuters
Belarus ranks 157 out of 180 on the Press Freedom Index, making it the most dangerous country in Europe for journalists before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The suppression of freedom of speech in Belarus began long before 2020, with authorities actively repressing journalists in the 1990s. The Belarusian Association of Journalists monitors repression against journalists and media, and in 2022, 17 criminal cases were brought against journalists and media workers, resulting in sentences ranging from 16 months to 14 years in prison. Last year, nine independent media outlets were declared "extremist organizations."
Between January and November 2022, the government restricted access to 3,002 internet resources, mainly Telegram channels and groups, compared to just over 5,000 resources restricted in the previous seven years.
- An event in Minsk in support of journalists in 2020.
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, 33 media representatives are currently in detention:
We call for support for imprisoned journalists who, like other prisoners, are in inhumane conditions in Belarusian prisons. Their conscientious work contributes to building a democratic society. Write letters to political prisoners. Solidarity is what unites us.
