English

Private newspaper Narodnaya Volya to be distributed through state networks

Narodnaya Volya, a leading private newspaper critical of the Belarusian government, has signed a contract with state monopolist Belsayuzdruk for the sale of the newspaper through its newsstands and other retail outlets, and a contract with Belposhta, Belarus` state postal services monopolist, for the distribution of the newspaper by subscription.

Narodnaya Volya has also signed a contract for the newspaper to be printed at the Belarusian Printing House in Minsk, Editor in Chief Iosif Syaredzich told BelaPAN. Until now, Narodnaya Volya has been printed in Smolensk, Russia, some 220 miles east of Minsk.

“Only some minor technical issues are yet to be resolved,” Mr. Syaredzich said. “If everything goes as we expect, the next Narodnaya Volya issue will be available at Belsayuzdruk newsstands as early as this Thursday.”

Narodnaya Volya has been barred from the Belsayuzdruk and Belposhta distribution networks for three years. In late 2005, Belposhta refused to enter this and more than 15 other non-state papers, including BDG.

Delovaya Gazeta, Salidarnasts and Zhoda, in its 2006 list of publications that could be subscribed to. Also in late 2005, Belsayuzdruk, which runs a network of newsstands and stores across Belarus, annulled its contract with Narodnaya Volya, citing "the publication by the media outlet of information that contravenes regulations of the Republic of Belarus." Belsayuzdruk also refused to renew contracts with many other non-state newspapers under various pretexts or without giving any reason.

In the same period, Narodnaya Volya and other newspapers were rejected by state-run printing plants.
On November 19, the Belarusian authorities reportedly notified European institutions of their readiness to take into consideration the OSCE’s recommendations regarding the Electoral Code and give the newspapers Narodnaya Volya and Nasha Niva access to state printing and distribution services.

As Andrey Dynko, deputy editor in chief of Nasha Niva, told BelaPAN on Tuesday, the newspaper has so far signed a distribution contract with Belposhta only. “This means that our subscription code will be written by hand at the bottom of the list of subscription publications at each Belposhta office,” he said.

“The talks with Belsayuzdruk are still under way and are very difficult,” he added.

The Belarusian Printing House printed and still prints Nasha Niva.