Moscow (dpa) – Pan-European television broadcaster Euronews has reacted with surprise to being banned in Belarus, noting in a statement that it had not been notified of the move.
«We deeply regret the decision which has been taken to suspend, as of today, the broadcasting of Euronews in Belarus,» a Euronews spokesperson said late Monday.
«We have not been notified of this decision nor of the reasons for it, and learned of it this morning through the press.
«Euronews values freedom of the press and will do its utmost to ensure that its audiences in Belarus can very soon again have access, on television, to Euronews’ hallmark impartial and quality journalism.
«In the meantime, these audiences will be able to continue following us on our digital platforms.»
The Information Ministry in Minsk said on Monday that Euronews had been banned, in the authoritarian-led country’s latest crackdown on independent media.
The transmission permit for the Lyon-based, 24-hour news channel was not extended, it said.
According to media reports, the ministry justified its move with the fact that the station broadcast advertisements in English instead of translating them into Russian or Belarusian as required.
The Russian channel Pobeda, which means «victory,» received a licenCe and will replace Euronews. Pobeda will play films about World War II.
Since the mass protests against long-time ruler Alexander Lukashenko began more than half a year ago, authorities have repeatedly taken action to squelch the media.
Journalists were arrested and sentenced to prison in an attempt to suppress independent reporting.