Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya assures she will persist in seeking support for Belarusian independent media and claims negotiations with YouTube advance significantly
On 9 November, the Belarusian democratic leader shared that Belarusians have numerous allies in the global community and she will continue to ask for aid in endorsing independent media. This announcement was made during a seminar held in Vilnius that promotes freedom of the Belarusian press. The event was organized by the embassies of Finland, Ireland, and Norway in Lithuania. The day before, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a meeting with the head of YouTube in Europe. There is some great news for the Belarusian media and audience.
“Your courage and dedication are truly inspiring. I know working in exile is tough, and you put yourselves, your families, and your personal lives at risk. But all your efforts to reveal the truth will not be in vain. Every day your work brings us closer to achieving our victory together,” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said to journalists in her address.
This piece is created with the support of PATREON
She mentioned media outlets such as Nasha Niva, Zerkalo, Grodno.Life, Euroradio, Belsat, and RFE/RL Belarus.
The leader of the democratic forces emphasized that journalists are the crucial piece that connects Belarusians in exile with those inside the country.
“It’s important to note that many of your colleagues have already paid a high price for their work. Thank you for your contribution. Andrei Aliaksandrau, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, Dzianis Ivashyn, Ihar Losik, Andrei Kuznechyk, Ksenia Lutskina, Pavel Mazheika, Andrzej Poczobut, Larysa Shchyrakova, Iryna Slaunikava, Maryna Zolatava, and many others are currently detained in prison. A total of 33 journalists and media workers are behind bars.”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has promised to continue her efforts until all the political prisoners, including those aforementioned, are released. She quoted the editor-in-chief of the Rehijanalnaja Hazeta Aliaksandr Mantsevich’s final statement in court. The journalist spoke about his grandfather who was executed in Belarus.
“Our fight for freedom is tough, but it’s the only correct path. I’m unsure how long it will take or what challenges lie before us. Nonetheless, building alliances is critical to win this struggle,” she stressed.
Belarusians have numerous friends who back them up in the global arena. The politician said she would keep seeking support for independent media since it’s an investment in Europe’s safe and secure future, rather than charity.
“We need to counter propaganda: that of Russia and the current Belarusian regime. They may have more resources and tools, but we have skilled professionals, powerful allies from around the world, and best practices from other countries. Let’s use our full potential,” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged.
During her visit to Berlin, she visited the YouTube office. Its administration promised to do its best to assist the Belarusian media by offering resources, instruction, and an advertising budget.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the platform’s chief executive officer in Germany, Sabine Frank, according to the politician’s Telegram channel. They talked about promoting the use of the Belarusian language on YouTube, and as a result, it will now be supported in various platform services, with Belarusian-language content monetization allowed.
The YouTube representative said that they were already discussing the possibility of adding Belarusian to the pool of supported languages on Google Ads. Furthermore, the platform’s representatives stated that they track and remove “repentant” videos, channels, and accounts of regime promoters. Tsikhanouskaya and Frank also talked about the chance of hosting training sessions for the Belarusian media and organizations involving YouTube specialists.
Politicians and diplomats who organized the Vilnius seminar made significant statements. They urged to fulfill obligations to safeguard freedom of expression instead of claiming that the regime’s accolades hinder it.
Read more:
EU politicians and diplomats, along with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, join Marathon of Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists
RSF delivers hundreds of “Postcards for Maryna” to Belarusian embassies in 7 cities, calling for the release of jailed editor Maryna Zolatava
In Lviv, Belarusians and Ukrainians expressed solidarity with journalists imprisoned by Lukashenka