In Belarus, journalists and members of the LGBTQ+ community face alarmingly restrictive landscapes.  Thirty-four journalists are currently jailed in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ). Most are charged with “extremist activities” or “violating public order” as part of the crackdown on the press following the 2020 presidential election. More recently, BAJ was […]

Increasing censorship and a crackdown on press freedom across the globe have forced many journalists and media outlets into exile. Reporting from abroad brings a host of challenges, including security threats and difficulties reaching audiences back home. The 2023 IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival brought together panelists representing publishers and media development organizations […]

The International Press Institute (IPI) and its global network today denounce the decision by authorities in Belarus to designate Zerkalo, the country’s most popular independent news site, as an “extremist formation”. Zerkalo was previously declared “extremist” by the regime soon after the media outlet was founded in July 2021. However, Zerkalo’s new “extremist formation” status […]

Today, marking the Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus, the undersigned organisations reiterate our condemnation of the Lukashenko regime’s ruthless crackdown on civil society and independent media. We continue to stand in solidarity with courageous Belarusians who persist in their fight for freedom. The international community will keep demanding the unconditional release of all […]