The situation for journalists in Belarus is worsening by the year

An annual report titled “Press Freedom in Europe: Time to Change the Situation” produced by the Platform for the Promotion of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists, has highlighted severe repression facing independent media and journalists in Belarus.

The report, which covers 46 Council of Europe member countries and includes Belarus and Russia, underscores the challenges journalists are experiencing, especially those in forced emigration.

Belarus: increasing repression for independent journalists

Established by the Council of Europe in 2015, the Platform aims to fortify the organisation’s response to threats against journalistic safety and media freedom. This year, the report observes an alarming increase in physical assaults on journalists, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Ukraine, where 19 incidents were reported in the past year due to Russia’s ongoing military actions. Georgia also reported eight assaults within the context of protests.

In the context of Belarus, the report reveals that repression has continued unabated since the protests of 2020. As of the end of 2023, at least 37 journalists were incarcerated for their work, with numbers projected to reach 40 by March 2025, as per the Belarusian Association of Journalists. “In 2023, more than 20 Belarusian journalists were arrested, half of whom have already been sentenced to prison for various charges,” the report states. These charges range from supporting extremist activities to participating in terrorist organisations.

The report details that journalists and their families in Belarus are subjected to home searches and confiscation of professional equipment, which endangers the confidentiality of their sources. Coercive tactics, such as pressuring individuals to make “confessions” on camera, have been noted, alongside trials held behind closed doors that restrict free expression post-verdict.

The media landscape in Belarus has deteriorated significantly, with even state-affiliated media not immune to scrutiny. The report outlines that, “Self-censorship no longer protects journalists,” as the definition of “extremist content” continues to expand, leading to increased government control over media narratives.

Authoritarian

Recent amendments to the Belarusian law “On Mass Media,” adopted in July 2023, have further entrenched this control. The law grants the Ministry of Information authority to prohibit foreign media operations and expand the grounds to block news websites. This legislation has led to the classification of independent entities as “extremist.”

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, around 400 independent journalists have fled Belarus since the protests, driven by threats of persecution. The report cautions that those in exile may risk losing their citizenship if convicted on anti-state charges. Concurrently, some host nations that have welcomed these exiled journalists are tightening their immigration and residency policies, creating additional pressure on these individuals.

A survey referenced in the report, comprising 212 Russian and Belarusian media workers, indicated that 60% received some form of assistance from governmental or non-governmental organisations following their relocation. Nevertheless, 40% did not acquire any support. The primary concerns expressed by journalists in exile include the need for financial aid, legal guidance, professional development opportunities, and mental health support.

This report serves to illustrate the dire situation facing independent media and journalism in Belarus amidst an oppressive political climate, emphasising the need for continued attention to press freedom issues in the region.

Featured image via the Canary