The Belarusian Association of Journalists Celebrates its 15th anniversary
- 16.09.2010, 11:20
The founder’s meeting of the Belarusian Association of Journalists took place 16 September 1995 at the Writer’s House in Minsk.
Today, celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Belarusian Association of Journalists states that it will go on with defending its members’ interests, Belarusian citizens’ rights to receive and distribute information and the freedom of expression as the basic values of a democratic society.
The founder’s meeting of the Belarusian Association of Journalists took place 16 September 1995 at the Writer’s House in Minsk. Participants of the meeting founded the organization and approved its statutes.
The first composition of governing bodies looked as follows:
Zhanna Litvina, the Chairperson
Uladzimir Hlod, Vice Chairperson
Ales Lipay, Vice Chairperson
Siarhei Vaganau, Vice Chairperson
The first BAJ Board also included Anatol Hatouchyts, Ihar Hermianchuk, Aleh Hruzdzilovich, Ales Mikalaychanka, Ihar Rynkievich, Mikhail Stelmak and Vital Taras.
Andrei Alefirenka, Mikalay Aliaksandrau, Viktar Dziatlikovich, Aleh Duk, Leanid Svirydau, Ihar Siniakevich, Iosif Siaredzich, Dzmitry Filimonau, Vital Tsyhankou and Ernest Yaluhin were elected to the first BAJ Council (Rada).
According to the Statutes, not only journalists but also people who contribute to journalistic activity and free distribution of information can join the organization. Several objectives of BAJ were set, including defending social, economic and professional rights of journalists, legal assistance and promoting their professional development.
«1995 marked five years of independence of Belarus, and it was the time of a real boom in appearing and development of non-state media, which was a completely new notion for our society. We can say BAJ appeared not out of journalists’ necessity to protect themselves from outer threats, but out of understanding of their power, skills and aspiration for change,» Zhanna Litvina, the Chairperson of BAJ, recollects.
Today there are more than 1,000 members of BAJ; they work for different media outlets, including newspapers, radio and TV stations, publishing companies. BAJ operates out of the central office in Minsk and five regional branches.
Since 1997, BAJ is an associate member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
In 2003, World Association of Newspapers (WAN) awarded BAJ with the Golden Pen of Freedom prize.
In December 2004 European Parliament awarded Belarusian Association of Journalists the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.