Figures of the year
105 million rubles for fines, 60 million euro of state budget support to mass media, 14 administrative cases and 29 detentions – year 2014 in figures of the monitoring service of BAJ.
The monitoring service of BAJ summed up that in 2014 journalists and distributors of media products were fined for 105 million Belarusian rubles in total. 52 million 50 thousand rubles were imposed on journalists as fines for contribution to foreign mass media without accreditation. 21 million 450 thousand rubles were imposed for participation in unsanctioned mass events. Distributors of print products were fined for 25 million 500 thousand rubles.
In 2015, the national budget allocates 804.2 billion rubles to support of state-run mass media, which accounts to 60 million euros. 653 billion rubles go to TV and radio, around 70 billion rubles go to print periodicals. To compare, state support in previous years (figures are approximate):
2009 – 64 mln EUR |
2010 – 40 mln EUR |
2011 – 54 mln EUR |
2012 – 45.5 mln EUR |
2013 – 60 mln EUR |
2014 – 52 mln EUR |
2015 – 60 mln EUR
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There were 14 administrative cases against independent journalists under article 22.9, part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences (illegal production and distribution of media products). Among them:
Ales Dzianisau
Ales Zaleuski (2 cases),
Andrei Mialeshka (3 cases),
Aliaksandr Burakou (2 cases, one case dismissed),
Mikhail Arshynski (case dismissed)
Maryna Mauchanava
Vital Siamashka (case dismissed),
Alina Litvinchuk
Tamara Shchapiotkina
Ales Liauchuk
The number of detentions of journalists at work was 29 incidents (most of them short-time detentions):
Date |
Who was detained |
Number of persons |
02.02.2014 |
Vasil Siamashka |
1 |
05.02.2014 |
Siarzhuk Kruchkou, Nasta Reznikava, Aliaksandr Patseyeu |
3 |
02.03.2014 |
Uladzimir Hrydzin, Iryna Arakhouskaya, Vasil Siamashka, Siarhei Hapon, Artsiom Liava, Yauhen Erchak, Ina Studzinskaya |
7 |
16.03.2014 |
Ales Silich, Natallia, Valakida |
2 |
09.05.2014 |
Valer Kalinouski, two colleagues (names unknown) |
3 |
17.05.2014 |
Yauhen Skrabets |
1 |
03.09.2014 |
Viachaslau Piashko and a colleague (wanted not to be mentioned) |
2 |
16.09.2014 |
Natallia Valakida, Ales Barazenka, Siarhei Satsiuk |
3 |
10.10.2014 |
Iryna Arakhouskaya, Ales Barazenka |
2 |
20.10.2014 |
Aliaksandr Liubianchuk, Maryja Artsybashava |
2 |
10.11.2014 |
Viachaslau Piashko, Artur Bondarau |
2 |
6.12.2014 |
Uladzimir Hrydzin |
1 |