BELARUSIAN TV CENSORSHIP

The censors on state-run Belarusian television are banning appeals by opposition candidates for the 17 October parliamentary elections to say "no" in the same day's presidential referendum to President Lukashenka's intention to seek a third presidential term. In particular, censors in Homel cut a passage regarding the referendum from a prerecorded campaign broadcast by Belarusian Social Democratic Assembly candidate Yauhen Furseyeu without his knowledge and permission. In Hrodna, a prerecorded campaign program by Belarusian Social Democratic Party-Popular Assembly candidate Barys Laukovich, who called on voters to say "no" in the referendum, was not broadcast at all. Under Belarus's election legislation, candidates are entitled to air short, free-of-charge campaign programs on state-run television and radio channels.