By David Pitts
USIA Staff Writer

April 19, 1997

Washington -- Press freedom is under attack in Belarus and the situation is deteriorating, according to a group of prominent Belarussian journalists whose visit to the United States is being sponsored by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The Belarussians, who spoke before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus April 18 and before the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) April 17, are Zhanna Litvina, former editor-in-chief of Radio 101.2, the only independent station broadcasting in the Belarussian language and which was shut down by the government last August; Alexander Mikhalchuk, deputy editor of independent newspaper Belarusskaya Gazeta; Oleg Gruzdilovich, political commentator for independent newspaper Svaboba (Freedom); and Olga Babak, former reporter for Radio 101.2.

Prospects for a free press "are worsening," said Litvina, who, since Radio 101.2 was closed, has been president of the Belarussian Association of Journalists and Minsk bureau chief for Radio Liberty. She cited the following recent events:

-- The decree of the Council of Ministers March 18 ostensibly concerned with regulation of imports. But, Litvina said, the decree "forbids importing printed, or audiovisual materials, that can be harmful." The new restrictions go into effect April 18.

-- The detention of "12 reporters at a recent rally in Minsk as well as 100 citizens who participated in the demonstration." Litvina said more than 50 reporters are being detained.

-- The deportation of a Russian journalist, the bureau chief of NTV -- Russian independent television -- on March 31 "on the eve of the meeting" between Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Boris Yeltsin concerning closer ties between the two countries.

But it is not just Belarussian journalists who are sounding an alarm about press freedom. Litvina said foreign experts who have examined the situation "concluded the monopolization of the mass media is practically 100 percent." Mass media "is now serving the government," she stressed.

Litvina said there is only one television network in the country and that is owned by the government. What independent newspapers there are face "severe restrictions."

Mikhalchuk said his independent newspaper, Belarusskaya Gazeta, "could be put out of business any moment." Even now, "it has to be printed in Lithuania because we cannot get a license" in Belarus, he said.

He stressed that "it is not necessary to shut a newspaper down to achieve censorship, it can be achieved through laws like the March 18 decree." State-owned newspapers are not a viable alternative source of news, Mikhalchuk said: "They are sources of propaganda." He agreed with Litvina that the situation is getting worse. "Everybody is expecting repressive measures," he said.

Gruzdilovich said his newspaper, Svaboda, is currently printing in Belarus, perhaps allowed to because of its popularity. "We have a large circulation -- 50,000," he noted.

Gruzdilovich called upon foreign observers and foreign publics to pay attention to what is happening in his country and to assist in the promotion not only of press freedom there, but other civil rights as well. He cited the example of students who have "been dismissed from college" for attending rallies calling for civil liberties.

Babak said Radio 101.2 was well-received by listeners who appreciated not only its own news reporting, but also news from the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Polish Radio, and other sources of information.

She said the official reason given for the closing down of the station was that its transmitter was "interfering with other communications." Babak added: "We have no hopes of getting back on the air."

ICFJ moderator Whayne Dillehay cited new restrictions on foreign journalists in Belarus as another "ominous development." Under a decree issued a week ago, foreign reporters and other unnamed organizations "would have to undergo re-registration," the specifics of which are not yet clear, he said. Already, foreign reporters are barred from access to satellite transmission facilities at Belarus state television, according to ICFJ.

Dillehay said CPJ is sponsoring the journalists' visit precisely to draw attention to the press situation in Belarus, where independent newspapers have experienced "ongoing harassment, including freezing of financial accounts, disruption of circulation, and detention of reporters."

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which counts 150 Congresspersons among its members, holds frequent hearings on human rights issues. In an April 18 statement, it said Belarus' human rights record "dramatically worsened after the election of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has continued to lead Belarus back toward a Soviet-era authoritarian state."

The group of Belarussian journalists have been in the United States all this week. They participated in a CPJ seminar on press freedom in Belarus in New York before coming to the nation's capital. They will leave the United States April 19.