Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced “excessive restrictions on press freedom on the borders of Poland and Lithuania with Belarus”.
In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the RSF urged “both governments to allow journalists to report on the border issues which are of public concern”.
The statement comes in response to severe limitations placed on media in Poland, as well as the limits on the right to access borders with Belarus in Latvia and Lithuania.
.@RSF_inter denounces excessive restrictions on #pressfreedom on the borders of #Poland & #Lithuania with #Belarus due to influx of migrants & #Russia’s military exercise. We urge both governments to allow journalists to report on the border issues which are of public concern. pic.twitter.com/D216kG1kIq
— RSF in English (@RSF_en) September 7, 2021
The Baltic states and Poland say they are under hybrid attack from Belarus, which is facilitating irregular migration to apply pressure on its Western neighbours in response to international sanctions.
On Monday, the largest Lithuanian media outlets signed a joint letter, urging authorities to allow border access. Due to the ongoing restrictions, Lithuanian media is unable to counter Belarusian propaganda, nor verify information provided by the authorities.
“It is unacceptable to ban the work of journalists on the grounds that it may be exploited by another country,” the joint statement reads. “This cannot be a reason in a democratic country to restrict the freedom of the media and the public's right to impartial information.”
RSF also expressed support for the “common letter of the Lithuanian media denouncing the severe restrictions of press freedom”.
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