Belarus in the spotlight

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has stepped behind the campiagn for reform of the media in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus.

Acording to its secretary

"Belarus media requires invigorating reform, not a new media law that merely turns the screw ever tighter on the independent media,

It follows a new law which was passed earlier this month which according to the IFJ

regulates online media and calls for the registration of media outlets. It also speeds up procedures for closing down media and says journalists can be prosecuted for reporting statements, whether from political parties or NGOs if they ‘discredit the Republic of Belarus'.

Under the rule of President Alexander Lukashenko opposition is tightly monitored and in 2005 the country was listed by the US as Europe's only remaining "outpost of tyranny"

The opposition have been denied access to much of the government controlled media which has benefited from huge government subsidies.