Belarusian Association of Journalists

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BAJ
Belarusian Association of Journalists
Беларуская асацыяцыя журналістаў
Established1995
TypeProfessional association
Location
Chairperson
Publication
AffiliationsIFJ, EFJ, Reporters without Borders
Websitebaj.by

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) (Belarusian: Беларуская асацыяцыя журналістаў, Biełaruskaja Asacyjacyja Žurnalistaǔ) is a Belarusian professional association of journalists. It aims to protect freedom of speech, freedom of information and promote the professional standards of journalism.[1] BAJ is an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists, of the European Federation of Journalists and a partner of Reporters Without Borders.[2]

BAJ was dissolved on August 27, 2021, by the state Supreme Court.[3]

History[]

BAJ was founded in 1995. The association publishes a magazine, , since 2000.

In 2003, BAJ was honoured with the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers' Golden Pen of Freedom Award.[4] In 2004, it received the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize.[5] The Atlantic Council presented its Freedom Award to BAJ, the Belarus Free Theater and the Human Rights Center Viasna in 2011.[6] In 2020, BAJ became the first recipient of the Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award.[7] In 2021, BAJ got the Free Media Award.[8]

During the 2020–2021 Belarusian protests, BAJ together with Reporters without Borders collected data that showed Belarus was Europe's most dangerous country for journalists in 2020.[9] The association also provided persecuted journalists with legal support, while repeatedly being a target of state repression itself.[10] On 18 January 2021 BAJ declared Andrej Aliaksandraŭ and Iryna Zlobina political prisoners.[11] On February 16, 2021, police detained the association's chairperson , several other members and freelance journalists, while searching their homes and the BAJ office. Police also confiscated smart phones, computers, money and files with personal informations on BAJ members. CPJ and IFJ condemned the arrests.[12][13] Three days later, the US imposed sanctions on 43 Belarusian officials for undermining the country's democracy, citing the case of the raid on BAJ in particular.[14]

In March 2021, BAJ condemned the sentencing of journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich of TUT.BY to half a year in prison for her reporting.[15]

In 2021 BAJ suffered from two waves of police raids, in January and July. When the central office in Minsk was sealed by the police, the Justice Ministry sent a request for documents, that were inside, and then accused the organization of failing to fulfil its requirements.[16] On July 21, 2021, the Ministry initiated proceedings aimed at liquidation of the BAJ.[17][18] The organization was dissolved by the Supreme Court of Belarus on August 27, 2021.[3] The 'Reporters Without Borders' organization condemns the liquidation and calls it 'a culmination of a crackdown on independent media' in the country.[19]

Chairpersons[]

References[]

  1. ^ "BAJ Declaration of Principles on the Journalist Ethics". BAJ. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  2. ^ "About BAJ". BAJ. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Belarus Supreme Court dissolves Belarusian Association of Journalists". Committee to Protect Journalists. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  4. ^ "Golden Pen of Freedom". World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.
  5. ^ "Sakharov Price Laureates 2001-2010". Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  6. ^ "Freedom Awards". Atlantic Council.
  7. ^ "United Kingdom and Canada announce recipient of first Media Freedom Award". Gov.uk. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  8. ^ Кепински, Ольга (2021-08-12). "Все награды Free Media Awards присуждены белорусским журналистам" (in Russian). euronews. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  9. ^ "Belarus was Europe's most dangerous country for journalists in 2020, data shows Access to the comments". Euronews. 2020-12-29.
  10. ^ "Journalism in Belarus: 'Like walking through a minefield'". Deutsche Welle. 2020-11-26.
  11. ^ "Immediately release political prisoners Andrei Aliaksandrau and Iryna Zlobina!". spring96.org. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  12. ^ "Belarusian authorities raid Belarusian Association of Journalists headquarters, journalists' homes" (Press release). CPJ. 2021-02-16.
  13. ^ "Belarus: Belarusian Association of Journalists under attack" (Press release). IFJ. 2021-02-16.
  14. ^ "U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions On 43 Belarusians For 'Undermining Democracy'". Radio Free Europe. 2021-02-19.
  15. ^ "Belarus journalist sentenced for report on protester's death". AP. 2021-03-02.
  16. ^ "'In Belarus, it's dangerous to be human' How civil society organizations became the Lukashenko regime's latest target". Meduza. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  17. ^ "Report analyses Lukashenko's year-old crackdown on Belarusian journalists". Reporters without borders. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  18. ^ "Минюст Беларуси подал в Верховный суд иск о ликвидации Белорусской ассоциации журналистов" [Belarus: Justice Ministry Initiates Liquidation of Belarusian Association of Journalists] (in Russian). Novaya Gazeta. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  19. ^ "Support resistance by journalists after BAJ dissolution in Belarus, RSF says". Reporters Without Borders. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  20. ^ "Zhanna Litvina: Time to hand BAJ over". Euroradio. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  21. ^ "Zhanna Litvina leaves her post as BAJ head". Charter-97. 2015-04-24. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  22. ^ На старшыню БАЖ абраны Андрэй Бастунец, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 25.04.2015


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