In Belarus, to strengthen laws on the media.

February 8, Belarus came into force a law on mass media, adopted in summer 2008. This writes Nezavisimaya Gazeta. It tightens the requirements as to journalists and to the owners of the media.
The law, in particular, requires journalists recheck the information received from representatives of political parties and public organizations. In accordance with its provisions, the journalist responsible for the information, reprinted from another source and supply a reference.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists, commenting on the law, drew attention to the fact that the media can now be closed after two warnings from the ministry of information - regardless of the nature of violations.
The law limits the share of foreign capital in the Belarusian mass-media (30 percent), and also requires all correspondents of foreign media to pass the accreditation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, the online media under the new rules must be registered. The order that the registration will be determined by Government decisions.