OSCE media freedom representative renews call to reform accreditation requirements for journalists in Belarus
VIENNA, 8 October 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that the ongoing practice of hindering freelance journalists working for foreign media outlets in Belarus without accreditation must stop.
“Accreditation cannot be viewed as a work permit, and the lack thereof should not deprive members of the media the right to do their work. Freelance journalists should be able to work as freely as journalists employed with registered media outlets,” Mijatović said.
On October 8, a district court in Mogilev in eastern Belarus ruled that freelance journalist Aleksandr Burakov was guilty of “the illegal production and distribution of media products” for Deutsche Welle without accreditation. Burakov was fined six million Belarusian roubles (approximately €450). On 16 September police searched the homes of Burakov and his parents, and confiscated computer equipment.
On October 7, the Hrodna district court fined freelance journalist Andrey Meleshko €390 for working for Polish-based Radio Raciya. Meleshko also received fines on the same charges in June this year.
In 2014, nine administrative cases were launched against journalists for co-operating with foreign media without accreditation. The journalists have been fined and issued with warnings.
Mijatović reiterated her call to the Belarusian authorities to reform the mandatory accreditation requirements for journalists and offered her Office's support in improving the media legislation.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.