Belarus revokes accreditation, deports foreign journalists covering protests

While Belarus continues to be rocked with protests for three weeks, President Alexander Lukashenko’s government cracked down hard on news media on August 29. It t only deported some of foreign journalists but also withdrew accreditations of several ors who were reporting on anti-government protests prevailing in nation. Several international media outlets reported about ir journalists being deported from country. 

Two Moscow-based journalists of international media ncy, AP who were constantly covering demonstrations in Belarus were sent back to Russia on Saturday. Moreover, organisation’s Belarusian journalists were directed by government that ir press credentials were revoked. Belarusian Association of Journalists said that accreditation has been taken away from at least 17 Belarusians working for different outlets. 

From Germany’s ARD television to BBC and from US-funded rios to or outlets, many journalists were reported to have been eir sent back or have ir licence revoked. Lauren Easton, AP’s director of media relations said in a statement that organisation decries “blatant attack” on freedom of press in European nation and called for government to reinstate credentials of independent journalists. In same line, executives of or media outlets directly impacted by latest development along with foreign governments have criticised move. 

“ Associated Press decries in strongest terms this blatant attack on press freedom in Belarus. AP calls on Belarusian government to reinstate credentials of independent journalists and allow m to continue reporting facts of what is happening in Belarus to world,” said Lauren Easton.

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UN on Belarus govt’s move

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reportedly said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has time and again called for journalists to be able to do ir job in an environment that is ‘free from harassment’. Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Mass reportedly summoned Belarusian ambassor after detention and expulsion of foreign journalists in Minsk and said that “this attack on press freedom is ar dangerous step toward more repression inste of dialogue with population.”

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “has consistently called for journalists to be able to do ir work free from harassment, anywhere in world,” Stephane Dujarric said.

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Inputs/ Im: AP