Operational monitoring

The Presidential election was the main factor that influenced the situation of mass media in Belarus in 2015. The election was held on October 11, 2015. On the eve of the Presidential election, the authorities introduced stricter norms into the media legislation and its application practice. Apparently, the decision was also grounded on the intention of Belarusian government to reinforce control over the media coverage of the gradually aggravating economic situation in the country.

“Changes in Belarus always follow ‘one step forward – two steps backwards’ principle… We don’t need cosmetic changes. We need systemic reforms of Belarusian media legislation…”, – Mikhail Yanchuk, Deputy Chairperson, Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Brief background information about the Presidential Election-2015 in Belarus. Situation in Mass Media Field on the Eve of Presidential Election-2015 (Background of Election Campaign). Observation of Journalist and Media Rights during the Presidential Election Campaign.

This analytical report is the result of cooperation between the Belarusian human rights organizations: Belarusian Helsinki Committee (RHRPA “BHC”), The Belarusian Association of Journalists (PA “BAJ”), The Assembly Of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus, Legal Transformation Center, Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Committee “Salidarnasc”.

  Report No. 3 07 October, 2015 Minsk, Belarus

Situation in Belarusian Mass Media Field in July – September 2015 (review). Main events in Mass Media Field in July – September 2015. Statistics, indexes, rating lists.