World Press Freedom Day Viciebsk journalists – members of NGO "Belarusian Association of Journalists" noted spring fun: they planted flowers on the "Walk of a free press," rooted in the past year, thus affirming the invincible power of the free and independent development.

Birches and rubber sheet, planted on unfavorable to fully identify its potential soil mixed with Soviet building rubble, well endured the winter in prison and was released in unison toward the sun their green leaves. And it seemed to be a good sign: Belarusian media will outlive the current gloomy times, and those who interfere with its free existence, at the appointed time get what they deserve.

Pulling weeds and well-fertilized tree trunks black humus earth, decorated with journalists made flowerbeds with spring flowers – let them bloom for others to enjoy.

Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3 throughout the world since 1994. A decision to grant a special status to this day calendar was adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Freedom of the media – one of the cornerstones of a full-fledged existence of any civilized state. Therefore, it is impossible to reconcile with the obvious absurdity, when the local authorities with impunity harass Belarusian journalists for the direct performance of their professional duties.

It is hard to believe that such violence is perpetrated powerless, as they say, in the center of Europe in the 21st century. Only in the so-called administrative offenses (under Part 2 of Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code – "Illegal production and distribution of mass media products") in 2015, the independent Belarusian journalists were tried 21 times. The total amount of the fines which they were ordered to pay amounted to more than seven thousand dollars.

Participating in such symbolic spring amusements, I want to believe that the tree decorated with flowers "Future of independent Belarusian media" will not be broken by a vandal or local unicellular obedient communal services on the orders of the vigilant censors from power. Hopefully, it will wait for the light of the freedom, which crave such a day is not only journalists, but sober-minded people of the world.

S. Horki