BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/02/2006

Belarusian journalists fear censorship may be extended to the Internet

According to the Belarusian Journalists Association online media are among the most important independent sources of information in the authoritarian-run country.

A good three weeks ahead of presidential elections in Belarus journalists in the authoritarian-run country fear that censorship may be extended to the Internet. The state-run telephone company was the country's only Internet access provider, the head of the Belarusian Journalists Association, Shanna Litwina, said on Wednesday in Berlin. Therefore blocking unwelcome Internet pages was a simple exercise for the state apparatus run by President Alexander Lukashenko, she observed. "Rumor has it that the Internet in Belarus will soon be state-controlled," she added.

According to Ms. Litwina online media are among the most important independent sources of information in Belarus. Private media organizations operating in the country that borders the European Union have repeatedly been harassed or shut down altogether. Five months ago the last major independent newspaper Narodnaya Volya (Will of the People) was financially ruined with the help of a fine imposed for allegedly libeling the President.

Mr. Lukashenko who has been in power for almost 12 years now is widely considered by his opponents as "Europe's last dictator." On March 19 the 51-year-old will be seeking a further term in office. In the light of opinion polls the chances of the president's challenger, the opposition candidate Alexander Milinkewitsch, of being elected in place of Mr. Lukashenko are rated as remote.

Source: Robert W. Smith; Belarusian Journalists Association; Heise online

Source:

http://www.socialbc.com/en/node/4191