Changing the State of Expression in Belarus A presentation to the Government of Belarus 8 December 2009 Freedom Reporting and Accreditation Consultants.

Changing the State of Expression in Belarus

A presentation to the Government of Belarus8 December 2009

Freedom Reporting and Accreditation ConsultantsSoumitra Chatterjee, Megan Glick, Jonathan Marshall, Ralanda Winborn, Frauke Hentz

Agenda

• Background and justification• Legal frameworks• Pertinent Cases• Recommendations• Campaign• Q & A

Background

• Relationship with Council of Europe

• Media accreditation

• History of documented accreditation malfeasance

Justification

• Implications of full compliance– Potential Member or Guest Status with CoE– Freedom of expression as pathway for other

human rights corrections

• Goals– Increase ease and transparency of

accreditation– Commitment to meeting CoE accreditation

standards– Improving the international image of Belarus

Legal Framework

• Need for conformity with Council of Europe standards

• Council of Europe Standards– Promote freedom– National security

• Amendments to Belarusian Law ("On Mass Media")– Statutory provisions– Regulations to guide application process

Pertinent Cases

• Viktar Parfyonenka• Radio Racyja- independent• Denied accreditation on specious grounds• 25 September 2009

• Euroradio• Accredited for one year• Independent, established• 13 November 2009

Recommendations

• Standardizing accreditation– Transparency, efficiency, and appeals

• Promote independent media– Eliminate government subsidies

• NGO network– Facilitate communication– Independent oversight

• Public diplomacy campaign– Support and evaluation

Public Diplomacy Campaign

• Goals– Increased awareness of free expression

progress– Demonstrate commitment – Evaluation in action

• Components–White paper– Overall design and new media efforts– Annual Freedom of Expression Symposium

New Media Efforts

• Current Ministry of Foreign Affairs website– Solid framework– Advertised transparency– Links to regulations and

applications

• Drawbacks– Protracted inquiry response– Delayed notifications– Lack of appeals process

the first annual freedom of expression symposium

Message from President Aleksandr Lukashenka

Interactive Blog

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New accreditation listings

Annual Symposium Register Now

EXTERNAL LINKSSeeking accreditation? Apply Here

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus

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changing the state of expression

Welcome! Вітаю!Your connection to accreditation in Belarus…

…Together we’ll change the state of expression.

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