To highlight the most pressing concerns for press freedom in Europe, Index’s Mapping Media Freedom correspondents discuss the violations the stood out most
Mapping Media Freedom: 2015 was “tumultuous” for media workers
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CATEGORY: Belarus
Belarus’ counter-extremism laws used to restrict free expression
Volha Siakhovich outlines how Belarusian authorities are using anti-extremism legislation to silence journalists and human rights workers
Belarus: Media violations recorded during last month’s election
On 11 October, Belarusian president Aleksander Lukashenko won his fifth consecutive election. Whether it was a free and fair election is up for debate
Freelance journalists in Belarus face fines for working with foreign media
In Belarus, dozens of freelance journalists were fined between 2014 and 2015 for working for foreign media without an accreditation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Leading independent news sites blocked in Belarus
Belarusian authorities attempt to hide a financial crisis by silencing critical voices in a new clampdown on media.
Belarus: Stop harassment of human rights defenders
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Ambassador...
Padraig Reidy: Belarus’ dictator cannot bear the egalitarianism of the ice bucket challenge
Funny doesn’t work for dictatorships because funny usually involves humanity and vulnerability. This is the appeal of the viral video challenge.
Belarus: Bialiatski is out of prison – but not entirely ‘free’
Ales Bialiatski, a well-known Belarusian human rights defender, was released from prison on Saturday after staying for almost three years behind bars on politically motivated charges, Andrei Aliaksandrau reports from Minsk.
Hockey championship in Belarus: Lukashenko puts activists on ice
The authorities in Belarus are trying to ensure that no one spoils the upcoming World ice hockey championship the country hosts — not even human rights activists. Andrei Aliaksandrau reports
Belarus must immediately reform its approach to media
Analysis shows there have been no visible improvements of Belrusian media freedom during in recent years. The authorities must now act.