Freelance journalists in Hlybokaje accused of violating mass media law

Police have opened a new case for the cooperation with foreign media without accreditation. On June 25, police in Hlybokaje summoned independent journalists Tatsiana Smotkina and Dzmitry Lupach to question them about publications on the websites of Euroradio Radio Racyja.

Tatsiana Smotkina was questioned about a publication posted on Radio Racyja’s website on June 9.

“They showed me an official paper from the Prosecutor’s Office, which said that I had violated the law on mass media and Part 2 of Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal production and distribution of media products),” said Tatsiana Smotkina.

The journalist says she has never hidden the fact of collaboration with Radio Racyja:

“Firstly, under the text there is my signature, because I am not afraid and not hiding. Secondly, I told the police that I am proud to cooperate with the independent media, since it allows me to write the truth, be sincere and to protect the interests of the people. I refused to answer all other questions, citing article 27 of the Constitution, which gives citizens the right not to incriminate themselves.”

The conversation with the journalist Dzmitry Lupach dealt with a publication on the website of Euroradio on June 9.

“The police officer showed me a printout of the material from the website, a text without a signature. And then – a copy of the newspaper Volnaje Hlybokaje with my article. According to the police officer, the article in the newspaper is proof of my work with Euroradio,” says Mr. Lupach.

He was also called up to police the following Monday to officially face charges. They will probably also learn the date of the trial. According to Part 2 of Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal production and distribution of media products), they face fines of 20 to 50 basic units.