The forum is held in the walls of the Seimas.

As the chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ)

stated , the solidarity of colleagues allows us to survive in dark times.

He expressed his gratitude to Lithuanian journalists, the Union of Journalists of Lithuania, the government of the Baltic country and called the forum one of the manifestations of solidarity and an opportunity to discuss pressing issues.

"In Belarus, journalism and the media continue to face criminal prosecution for reporting activities.

Cases of persecution are of a systematic nature.

This is unacceptable.

, OSCE representative on media freedom issues

.

The leader of the democratic forces

also addressed the participants of the forum , who emphasized that it was never easy for independent Belarusian journalism.

"In Belarus, the regime has always targeted principled journalists.

However, twenty-eight years was not enough for him to clean up and take control of the information field.

The truth has always found its way through the propaganda torrent.

Despite the repression and constant pressure on the media."

She mentioned the names of some journalists who are in prison -

.

A total of 32 journalists are currently in prison in Belarus.