Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I heard the other day that residents of Mazyr and Petrykau barely see any road repairs in their towns. And in Zhlobin, residents complain about potholes near kindergartens. Although we sometimes tend to skip news from the regions, media attention to such problems is important for those who face the negligence of local authorities. When government bodies ignore people’s appeals, the media and journalists become the only way to draw attention to their problems. This is why the regime is trying so hard to destroy the ‘fourth power’ – because it has already subjugated the first three.
Today is World Press Freedom Day. And there is no such freedom in Belarus. The country has more than 30 politically imprisoned journalists. Larysa Shchyrakova, Ihar Losik, Maryna Zolatava, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, and other independent journalists are in prison for their conscientious and impartial work.
Dear journalists! Thank you for continuing to speak the truth despite the challenges that Belarusian media have faced in recent years. When almost all airtime in Belarus is occupied by the regime’s agenda, you allow people to see what’s happening without lies and manipulation. Thanks to you, Belarusians have an ally in their struggle against propaganda. No matter how hard the regime imposes censorship, they continue to read independent media.
In the struggle for freedom of speech and democratic values, journalism is one of the most important institutions. And we must preserve it. I invite you all to read and support our media if it’s safe for you. Share interesting stories and media projects, especially if you are abroad. Because the regime has no right to dictate how Belarusians should think!”
