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Internet freedom in Belarus deteriorated further during the coverage period. The government intensified its suppression of online critical voices, blocking of independent media outlets and information sources, and use of legislation to criminalize online materials produced by what it deemed to be “extremist” or “terrorist” groups. Although virtually all nonstate media outlets are now operating from exile, they continue to disseminate content via social media and messaging applications.

Homel Viasna human rights activists report that he was transferred to Homel pre-trial detention center №3.

The transfer did not take a long time, as she was previously held at Homel pre-trial detention center.

This is reported by the Homel chapter of Viasna.

The marathon in solidarity with imprisoned journalists continues. This time the campaign initiated by BAJ was supported by Australian journalist Steve Cannаnе, who now lives in London. He heads the European bureau of the ABC television network.

Vyachaslau Lazarau, a freelance videographer from Vitsebsk, has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison, while his wife, Tatsiana Pytsko, has received a three-year sentence.

Herman Napolski regularly attends press conferences and official events and is familiar to Belarusian journalists.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists' source, Siarhei Hardzievich was detained on September 14 at the Brest border checkpoint as he was returning to Belarus from Poland.

Aliaksandr Mantsevich, Rehijanalnaja Hazeta’s chief editor, will be tried in Maladzechna. Judge Aliaksei Irshyn will preside over the case, reports the Viasna Human Rights Center. Mantsevich was arrested on March 15 after his house in Vileika was searched and has been in custody ever since. The journalist is charged with discrediting the state.

Belarusian independent journalism has been in a troubled zone in recent years. Despite the difficulties, media professionals feel that things have become more stable, even with the profession’s repression and criminalization. During the roundtable discussion arranged by BAJ and the Mixer journalist organization (Poland), evaluations were made.

Today, on the International Day of Solidarity with Journalists, the winners of the Free Word, a major creative contest of independent journalists of Belarus, were announced. This year’s prize takers were received in Vilnius. The contest was held under the auspices of the European Federation of Journalists.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is launching a new global action as part of its ongoing campaign for the release of jailed Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava. Supporters around the world are encouraged to send letters and cards in solidarity with Zolatava, to be delivered to the Belarusian embassies in several countries on 6 November, Zolatava’s 46th birthday.

Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has ordered the country’s embassies to stop issuing passports to Belarusians living abroad. 

Anatol Kliashchuk was a well-known photographer for the Zviazda newspaper who took striking pictures. His nature photography is poetic and deeply moving. Kliashchuk worked as a photojournalist, photographer, and artist. Though he passed away recently, his memory lives on through his numerous films, videos, and books.

May – July 2023. Download PDF