“Press freedom and today’s Belarus are incompatible”: Forum in Vilnius highlights imprisoned Belarusian journalists
The forum «Staying secure in unsecure times: Strategies for journalists and the media» opened in Vilnius with a solidarity action for imprisoned Belarusian journalists.

Solidarity action for imprisoned Belarusian journalists. Vilnius, May 2, 2025. Photo: BAJ
On May 2, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Belarusian and European media professionals gathered in Vilnius to discuss pressing challenges and once again draw attention to the ongoing repression of journalists in Belarus.
Participants and guests of the forum expressed their support for colleagues who have been imprisoned by the Belarusian regime for political reasons.

Solidarity action for imprisoned Belarusian journalists. Vilnius, May 2, 2025. Photo: BAJ
According to the latest data from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), at least 40 media workers are currently behind bars.
“Press freedom and today’s Belarus are incompatible. More than 40 of our colleagues, our friends, are in prison. We remembered them a year ago. But over the past year, the situation has not improved: while some have been released, others have been jailed. We have yet to achieve our main goal — the release of our colleagues. But what we can do is continue to remind the world of this tragic situation, to speak out about Belarus, about Belarusian journalists behind bars, and about all Belarusian political prisoners,” said BAJ Deputy Chairman Barys Haretski.

Solidarity action for imprisoned Belarusian journalists. Vilnius, May 2, 2025. Photo: BAJ
