Brest official cuts circulation of local independent newspaper

Vasil Mareika, head of the Brestablsayuzdruk state distribution system, ordered to cut the circulation of the Brestski kurier independent newspaper by two-thirds, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports quoting the newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Mikalai Aliaksandrau.

According to the chief editor, the official’s decision is a revenge for the newspaper’s search for alternative means of distribution.

‘We in no way wanted to quit the partnership with the Brestablsayuzdruk. Our contracts with other trade networks of Brest help the newspaper reach the readers on the day of printing, while the Brestablsayuzdruk normally delivers our circulations only on the following day,’ says Mr. Aliaksandrau.

In this case, Mr. Mareika acted as a censor by limiting access to information for a major amount of readers, says the Brestski kurier’s chief editor.