Zhanna Litvina | |
---|---|
Born | |
Alma mater | Belarusian State University |
Occupation | Free Speech Activist |
Years active | 1976–present |
Zhanna Litvina (born August 30, 1954) is a Belarusian journalist and free speech activist. From 1995 to 2015, she served as chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. [1] [2] [3]
Litvina was born in the Vadapoj near Minsk. She studied journalism at the Belarusian State University. After graduating she worked as an editor of youth programming at the Belarusian state television station for the better part of 20 years before being dismissed. Following her termination, Litvina and her associates created and operated their own independent news and music station Radio 101.2, only to have it closed by the state in 1996. [4] The closure encouraged Litvina to move the operation out of the country, and she continued to broadcast from Poland, so as to avoid the ire of the Belarusian government and belie the possibility of shutdown. [5] [6]
Litvina co-founded the Belarusian Association of Journalists in 1995. The Association was established to protect the rights of journalists in Belarus and to support freedom of speech, access to information, and provide legal assistance to journalists who are harassed by the authorities. [7] In 2015, Litvina stepped down, succeeded by Andrey Bastunets. [8]
Zhanna Litvina | |
---|---|
Born | |
Alma mater | Belarusian State University |
Occupation | Free Speech Activist |
Years active | 1976–present |
Zhanna Litvina (born August 30, 1954) is a Belarusian journalist and free speech activist. From 1995 to 2015, she served as chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. [1] [2] [3]
Litvina was born in the Vadapoj near Minsk. She studied journalism at the Belarusian State University. After graduating she worked as an editor of youth programming at the Belarusian state television station for the better part of 20 years before being dismissed. Following her termination, Litvina and her associates created and operated their own independent news and music station Radio 101.2, only to have it closed by the state in 1996. [4] The closure encouraged Litvina to move the operation out of the country, and she continued to broadcast from Poland, so as to avoid the ire of the Belarusian government and belie the possibility of shutdown. [5] [6]
Litvina co-founded the Belarusian Association of Journalists in 1995. The Association was established to protect the rights of journalists in Belarus and to support freedom of speech, access to information, and provide legal assistance to journalists who are harassed by the authorities. [7] In 2015, Litvina stepped down, succeeded by Andrey Bastunets. [8]