OSCE representative on media freedom on visit to Belarus; independent journalists still under fire


Yet again Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, has urged the Belarusian authorities to abolish the mandatory accreditation of journalists. 

Mandatory accreditation restricts opportunities of the media, the OSCE Representative who is now staying in Minsk, believes. Last time she visited the Belarusian capital in 2013. “The visit was very successful because we discussed a lot of important problems, in particular the issue of journalists’ safety. I asked the government to do their best to free journalists from all charges, and it happened at last,” Ms Mijatovic told news agency BelaPAN.

Meanwhile, Mahiliou-based journalist Ales Burakou has been summoned today. His flat has been searched by police. If the independent journalist fails to appear at Leninsky district directorate of Interior at 14:00 he may be arrested, police officers warn. Mr Burakou is accused of contributing to Germany’s Deutsche Welle without any accreditation, novychas.info reports.

At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister said during yesterday’s workshop organised by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in Minsk that “the media sphere, one of the ‘top-priority goals in the cooperation with the OSCE”.

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