The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) board has shared information stating that it has joined WAN-IFRA, World Editors Forum and News Media Coalition protesting against accreditation rules for the Ice Hockey World Championships in Belarus.

On January 30, 2014 EANA Board has addressed International Ice Hockey Federation with an official letter stating that rules for accreditation of journalists in connection with the Ice Hockey Championships in Belarus are in obvious conflict with working conditions for free and independent media, reports GHN.

According to accreditation conditions posted at the Federation´s website "Any media wishing to cover topics that are not related either to ice hockey or to the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship must apply for an additional foreign journalist accreditation from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as per Belarusian law.”

“Any attempt to impose restrictions for what journalists can write about must be regarded as an act of censorship and is in conflict with internationally recognised media freedom,” – is mentioned in EANA's letter.

The Board expressed its strong protest against the mentioned conditions, insisting the Belarus government and the Federation to adjust the accreditation rules.

GHN is a member of European Alliance of News Agencies since 2012.