19 July editors of leading independent media of Belarus made a joint statement to support of Salidarnasc (www.gazetaby.com) independent online publication. It was caused by pressure the website faces from trade union officials.

Here is the text of the statement.

«Traditionally, on the eve of elections pressure independent media face from the authorities becomes even more intense. In such conditions non-state media is in special need not only for solidarity and support from NGOs, political parties and other organizations of civil society and democratic community, but for a strategy of interaction in general.

In relation to this, we express our concern with the facts of some trade union officials trying to put under control Saladarnasc independent online publication. A principled position of the website in relation to several negative issues of the Belarusian union movement has lead to incongruous and groundless charges being put against the editorial board.

Attitude to the freedom of expression defines the level of democratic views of politicians. We especially regret about the incident happened 1 June 2010. Aliaksandr Yarashuk, the Chairman of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU), personally forbade Alena Yakzhyk, a journalist of Saladarnasc, to be present at a meeting of the BCDTU Council.

This step fails to correspond to democratic standards and to Aliaksandr Yarashuk’s own statements. „This is going to be a difficult year, I think this is going to be the moment of truth for the whole democratic community, a test on how it deals with solidarity with independent media“ he previously stated in one of his interviews. „If we don’t protect independent media, which are not numerous, we should not think of participating in political campaigns.“

This is true. That is why we urge to stop attacks against Saladarnasc and hope Aliaksandr Yarashuk and his supporters in their future activities will treat with respect the freedom of expression and the freedom of press, as well as the right to receive and impart information without obstacles.»

The statement was signed by the following persons:

1. Vasil Zdaniuk, editor-in-chief of SNplus. Svobodnye Novosti Plus newspaper

2. Aliaksei Karol, editor-in-chief of Novy Chas newspaper

3. Ales Lipay, director of BelaPAN Information Company

4. Zhanna Litvina, the chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists

5. Andrei Skurko, editor-in-chief of Nasha Niva newspaper

6. Yulia Slutskaya, editor-in-chief of the European Radio for Belarus

7. Iosif Siaredzich, editor-in-chief of Narodnaya Volia newspaper

8. Viachaslau Khadasouski, editor-in-chief of Belorusy I Rynok newspaper

9. Uladzimir Yanukevich, the chairperson of the Association of Regional Press Publishers’ «United Mass Media»

 Press Service of Belarusian Association of Journalists