Information Ministry Suspends Mestnaya Gazeta (Vawkavysk) for 1 Month

15.10.2004.

The authorities accuse the editors of a number of violations of the Law on Press and Other Mass Media. Andrei Shantarovich, chief editor of the newspaper, thinks the edition has been suspended because of the referendum and election. He promises, soon the readers will get the newspaper under another title.
In the suspension order Information Minister Uladzimir Rusakevich blames the newspaper for spreading untrue information about suspension of Novaya Hazeta Smarhoni.
Mestnaya Gazeta wrote that the Ministry’s decision to suspend Novaya Hazeta Smarhoni was illegal.
Vawkavysk newspaper is also accused of publishing ads of businesses which are licensed. The Minister also thinks that the newspaper should change its status from regional to district one. That’s why the newspaper will be suspended for 1 month.
During several last weeks the authorities suspended more than 10 independent newspapers, reports RFE/RL.

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