The article reports on the current situation in Belarus, where the authorities have labeled Belarusians who interact with media outlets and communities abroad as “extremists”, effectively criminalizing such interactions for those within the country.
Specifically, it mentions:
* The arrest of 7 former journalists from the independent newspaper Intex Press, accused of “facilitating extremist activities”.
* The closure of Intex Press in 2021 after publishing an interview with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
* The designation of the newspaper’s online publications as “extremist” in April 2023 and its website being blocked.
* The EU allocating €30 million for Belarusian civil society in 2025 to support independent media and advocacy groups.
The article also highlights the persecution of journalists in Belarus, with 45 currently imprisoned, and the country’s poor ranking in press freedom indices.