Local paper Novy Chas covers meeting on the media situation in Belarus/photo: Novy Chas

International Media Support has in partnership with other international media freedom organisations issued a joint call for reforms and the removal of restrictions on the media in the Republic of Belarus

A group of international media and press freedom organisations have this week called upon the Belarus authorities to bring the country’s media environment into accordance with international standards, following the visit of a joint delegation to Minsk from 20 to 23 September 2009. Read the full Statement of the International Mission to the Republic of Belarus here.

The delegation met with media organisations and the Belarusian authorities in Minsk to exchange views and assess the current situation of the media, press freedom, freedom of expression and access to information.

Push for media reform

The group which included Article 19, the Danish Union of Journalists, International Pen and Reporters without Borders recognised that pressure on the media and journalists had eased, but called for this to be translated into a lasting commitment to ensure the rights of journalists.

According to the group, the media environment is in dire need of reform. Unequal economic conditions between state and non-state media, restricted access to public information, restrictions on accreditation of local and foreign media by authorities and the limiting effect of the Belarusian legislation on extremism and defamation on media work are amongst the considerations informing the call for better conditions for  media in Belarus.

Low ranking on media freedom index

The fact-finding mission to Belarus was carried out to provide the EU with an update on the country’s media situation and thus feed into the EU’s ongoing  human rights dialogue with the Belarusian government. The EU's “smart sanctions” imposed on Belarus were partially lifted in October 2008, sanctions which are put on countries with negligent human rights records.

Belarus holds the 188^th position of 195 countries in the rating list on media freedom prepared by Freedom House and is placed in the category of non-free states with no or limited free media. In February 2009, Belarus authorities enforced a new mass media law which according to the Belarus Association of Journalists (BAJ) toughened state control of media. The new law regulates online media and calls for the registration of media outlets. It also speeds up procedures for closing down media.

Call for media legislation to be clear and fair

Based on their media assessment and meetings with Belarusian authorities, the group have put forward a number of recommendations on how to improve and strengthen the media environment in Belarus for state and non-state media. These include the need for non-state media to be able to distribute without restrictions under fair economic conditions, for journalists to be able to report on public events without being obstructed and the need for clearer rules on accreditation and for legislation on the allocation of broadcasting licenses and frequencies to meet international standards.

Thomas Hughes, Deputy Director of International Media Support, said upon his return from Minsk:

- Despite small signs of change, much remains to be done if Belarus is to achieve international press freedom standards. We hope the findings of the group will be carefully considered by the EU and used in the dialogue with the Government of Belarus, with the aim of ensuring a freer and fairer media landscape and freedom of expression environment for the benefit of both the state and non-state media in the country.

The participating organisations and signatories to the statement will present a full report as a contribution to the EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue and share it with other international organisations in October 2009.