OSCE Media Freedom Representative alarmed by raids and blocking of Tut.by media portal in Belarus
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VIENNA, 18 May 2021 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today expressed her concerns regarding developments around Belarusian online media outlet, Tut.by. The authorities blocked the outlet’s website and raided its editorial office, its regional branches and the homes of several of its staff members.
According to reports, representatives of the Department of Financial Investigations started the raids this morning and seized equipment and documents in the course of a criminal investigation on tax evasion charges. The homes of the Editor-in-chief, Marina Zolotova, Deputy Editor-in-chief, Maxim Gaiko and journalist, Elena Tolkacheva, among others, were also searched. It was also reported that Zolotova and Tolkacheva were taken in for interrogation.
In addition, upon the General Prosecutor Office’s demand, the Ministry of Information blocked Tut.by’s website and its copies, reportedly for alleged violations of media legislation.
“Today’s developments around Tut.by, one of the most prominent independent media portals in Belarus, and its journalists again underscores the extremely alarming situation regarding media freedom, access to information and safety of journalists in the country,” Ribeiro said. “Blocking its entire website, which is an extreme measure, and disproportionately interfering with media actors’ activities only further contributes to these ongoing concerns.”
Ribeiro said that she will continue to closely follow developments in the country and reiterated her calls on the authorities to reverse the dangerous trend negatively affecting media freedom and freedom of expression in Belarus.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.