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Mass media in Belarus in 2022. Annual review Repressions against journalists in Belarus, 2021 (chart) Mass media in Belarus in 2021. Annual review Repressions against journalists in Belarus, 2020 (chart)

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a global call to support independent media and journalists on the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus (February 9). February 9 will mark 1.5 years of peaceful protest against violence, lawlessness, and state terror in Belarus. "While the resistance of millions of Belarusians continues underground in various creative forms, independent media are at the forefront of the struggle. Courageous journalists, bloggers, and influential media figures keep up working in the country and exile, despite severe repression and personal insecurity."

A sentence has been passed on journalist, cameraman, and founder of Hookah No. 1 restaurant Ivan Muraujou. According to BAJ, he was found guilty of participating in an extremist formation and sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment.

The son of detained ex-journalist Larysa Shchyrakova finally returned home, her family reported.

The political prisoner was put into segregation for "being unshaven." Now, he is in a regular cell and is feeling fine, Shtodnya reports. 

Thirty-two journalists currently behind bars amidst continuing legal crackdown. As another devastating year for media freedom comes to a close in Belarus, the International Press Institute (IPI) and our global network today condemn the government’s relentless efforts at prosecuting, jailing and otherwise silencing journalists, as part of a wider campaign aimed at eliminating all forms of dissent in the country.

On 16 December, journalist, local historian and writer Siarhei Chyhryn was detained in Slonim.

The criminal prosecution of journalist Ales Dashchynski has been terminated. His pledge not to leave the country is no longer binding, and the items seized during the search were returned to him, reports BAJ.

Art historian, theater critic, and journalist Aliaksei Strelnikau died unexpectedly at the age of 39, reported his colleagues and friends.

As the crackdown on independent media in Belarus continues for a third consecutive year, the state of journalism in the country is dire. With only a handful of independent journalists remaining within the country working anonymously, and 32 of their colleagues behind bars, the future of journalism in Belarus looks bleak. The Fix analysed the state of Belarusian independent media at the end of 2022 – and tried to find bright spots.

The number of journalists jailed around the world set yet another record in 2022. In a year marked by conflict and repression, authoritarian leaders doubled down on their criminalization of independent reporting, deploying increasing cruelty to stifle dissenting voices and undermine press freedom. 

A criminal case was filed against former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova for allegedly discrediting Belarus (Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code), RFE/RL Belarus reports.

Belarusian authorities should publicly disclose the reason for former Belsat TV journalist Larysa Shchyrakova’s arrest or release her immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.

Former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova has been in Homel temporary detention center for three days now, and her minor son Sviataslau was found in a repair for children in the settlement of Biarozki in Homel District. This is just 1.5 km away from his home.

The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs recognized Vesniki, "a group of citizens united on social media and distributing regional printed publications" as an extremist formation.