Finnish media threaten to boycott IHWC in Minsk

29 Jan 2014 | Davide Tuniz

Several Finnish media have announced that will not accept the conditions set by the Belarusian goverment

Representatives of several Finnish major media refuse to go to Belarus for covering the Ice Hockey World Championship, among these the TV company YLE as well as editions Helsingin Sanomat and Ilta Sanomat. The decision was taken after the Belarusian government’s demand according to which journalists who arrive to cover the championship should not cover any other events. As part of the accreditation process, journalists have been informed that they will have to make a separate application if they are planning to report on anything other than sporting events.

"We need to be sure that journalist will be able to work according to the normal western principles,” YLE sports director Atte Jääskeläinen said.“The IIHF will see to it to provide normal working conditions for journalists.”

IIHF promised to discuss the matter at the board meeting at the Sochi Olympics. IIHF Vice-President Kalervo Kummola said to YLE Tv: "It’s certainly something to take seriously, I’m not a supporter of boycotts, but I’m not a supporter of limits on freedom of speech either. When they got the championships, it was promised that everyone would be admitted to the country without visas, and generally promises should be kept."

Previously Finland’s sport and culture minister Paavo Arhinmäki has demanded that the IIHF revoke the right to host tournament from Belarus due to violations of human rights in the country.