Activity Details (ID# 8383)

Activity Synopsis

The conference had two main objectives: on the one hand, to present the problems currently faced by independent journalists in Belarus and on the other, to find a new approach to broadcasting for Belarus. 

The conference was very well organised. The participants expressed their deep concern about the current political situation in Belarus. Independent journalism has no space in the media landscape, especially in the regions. Although participants expressed unanimously the view that international co-operation and assistance is crucial for the support of the few remaining independent sources of information in Belarus, some of them voiced their scepticism about the recent European Commission’s tender for co-production and broadcasting on television and radio in Belarusian and Russian intended to provide access to independent information about events in Belarus. They also criticised the CoE for not paying enough attention to violations of freedom of expression taking place in Belarus. 

The participants agreed that Belarusian independent journalists need international support via concrete projects including the development of independent local media, professional training for young journalists and concrete financial support to the work of independent journalists. 

Journalists of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) 

Mr Robert Parsons, Journalist at Radio Free Europe 

Alessia Sonaglioni, Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights