Belarusian Journalist Pressured to Appear in State Propaganda Film

April 24, 2025 – Belarus – 

In Belarus, imprisoned journalist Andrey Kuznechyk has reportedly been pressured by the authorities to appear in a state-sponsored propaganda film, showcasing the government’s efforts to silence independent journalism and control the narrative. Kuznechyk, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was arrested and imprisoned for his critical reporting, which exposed the Belarusian government’s suppression of dissent and violations of human rights. While incarcerated, he has faced intense pressure to appear in a propaganda video aimed at painting a misleading image of the regime’s treatment of journalists and dissent.

Kuznechyk’s case highlights a broader pattern in Belarus, where journalists are frequently subjected to harassment, imprisonment, and coercion. In a similar case, Dzmitry Semchanka, a journalist who was also targeted by the authorities, was pressured into participating in a government-produced propaganda film. Semchanka, like Kuznechyk, had been critical of the government, and his forced participation in the film was an attempt to undermine his credibility and manipulate public perception.

Both cases shed light on the increasingly repressive climate for journalists in Belarus, where independent media has been effectively silenced following the controversial 2020 presidential election and subsequent protests. The government’s use of propaganda films is an attempt to portray the media as complicit in its narrative, eroding trust in independent reporting.

The international community, including organizations like the International Federation of Journalists (IFEX), has condemned these tactics, calling for the immediate release of journalists like Kuznechyk and Semchanka. Their cases underscore the growing risks faced by journalists in authoritarian regimes, where their freedom of expression is routinely violated to suppress dissenting voices.

As Belarus continues to clamp down on press freedom, the pressure on journalists to participate in state-sponsored propaganda is a disturbing reminder of the lengths to which regimes will go to control the media landscape.

Reference – 

https://www.rferl.org/a/belarusian-state-tv-propaganda-film-rferl-journalist-adnrey-kuznechyk/33275392.html

Former state TV journalist Dzmitry Semchanka pressured to appear in propaganda film while in prison

Belarus: Imprisoned journalist pressured to appear in propaganda film