An isosceles triangle. A free journalism forum taking place in Vilnius
Today, on December 7, the Lithuanian Seimas traditionally hosts a free journalism forum. Our colleagues from the Baltic states and representatives of the Belarusian independent media gathered in Vilnius. As the chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists stressed, it is especially important now to remind about the isosceles triangle of Belarus — Belarusian independent journalism — Belarusian journalists behind bars and political prisoners in general.
The forum is dedicated to supporting professional standards in the context of wars and international conflicts. This is a particularly important aspect for journalism in its fight against propaganda and the spread of hate speech.
«For the third year in a row, we hold a forum of journalists from Belarus and Lithuania (and now Latvia and Estonia) here, in the premises of the Lithuanian Seimas,» said the chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrei Bastunets. «On the one hand, this indicates the support that Belarusian independent journalists receive in exile, and the solidarity of our colleagues. On the other hand, the repression against journalists and civil society in our country has not only not weakened, but even intensified and reached a kind of plateau. In a situation of international disasters and wars, it is very important for us that Belarus, Belarusian independent journalism, and especially our colleagues behind bars in Belarusian prisons do not fall out of the focus of the international community.»
As the head of the journalistic organization stressed that now, when for objective and understandable reasons Belarus is not in the headlines, it is very important for him personally at every international meeting, forum, conference to reminded of the isosceles triangle of Belarus — Belarusian independent journalism — Belarusian journalists behind bars and political prisoners in general.
«A real journalist will never become a propagandist, a pawn in this war,» said the Secretary General of the European Federation of Journalists Ricardo Gutiérrez. «Information does not belong to the powerful. We need it so that we can pass it on to people.»
He drew attention to the fact that the world had not seen such mass killings of journalists as in the Gaza Strip and Israel, and suggested remembering the reporters who died while performing their professional duties.
The agenda includes such topical issues as keeping the long-term attention of the audience to important topics; creating conditions for high-quality journalism under economic, political, or even military pressure; protecting free and independent media.
The discussion is attended by representatives of Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian media, as well as the representatives of Belarusian independent media who have been working in exile for several years.
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