Belarus further jeopardises press freedom, restricts foreign publications' distribution

Posted by Alisa Zykova on February 3, 2010 at 12:39 PM

The Republic of Belarus would have tighter rules regarding the distribution of foreign publications, Ejednevnik reported Monday. Officials met to bring about alterations in the decree governing the availability of foreign media.

Modifications were made to the types of "foreign sources of mass information" that were to be imported. Banned will be content that may harm national safety with war propaganda as well as mention of rape, cruelty, extremism, and drug use. In addition, material that isn't available in Belarus or that doesn't correspond to the state's laws is to be prohibited.

On Monday, President Alexander Lukashenko signed an order that obliges Internet providers to store information on users and the sites they visit, AFP reported Tuesday.

The decree outlines that the data be made readily available to law enforcement figures upon request.

According to Deutsche Welle, the move was justified by reinforcing the necessity of fighting "against everything illegal and to improve the security of this country and its citizens." "It's complete control of information," said Andrei Bastunets, deputy chairman of the Belarussian Association of Journalists. "After all, apart from the Internet, Belarus practically has no free media."