On 29 September 2026, media reported that the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Press Club and the Free Press for Eastern Europe Foundation had opposed threats of political pressure against independent media.
The organisations responded to statements by some Belarusian politicians and public figures calling for independent media and journalists to be brought under tighter control. The proposals reportedly included identifying anonymous journalists and putting pressure on editorial offices.
The authors of the statement described such measures as an attempt at censorship. They said the issue was particularly serious because of the reported persecution of Belarusian journalists by Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. According to the report, more than 100 Belarusian journalists are currently wanted in criminal cases.
The source also alleges that calls by some public figures and politicians for stronger control over independent media and journalists in exile may result from pressure or influence by security agencies or special services. It presents this as an effort to give public legitimacy to repression and the persecution of media workers; this allegation is not independently verified in the supplied material.
The source states that, during Lukashenko’s years in power, independent journalism in Belarus has been forced abroad. It alleges that the authorities use criminal cases and convictions in absentia, wanted notices, property seizures and pressure on journalists’ relatives in retaliation for criticism of the regime.
These practices are described in the source as violations of freedom of expression and of the principle of personal responsibility, because relatives are allegedly used to pressure individuals over their professional activities.
