We investigate corruption, uncover fake news and analyze the news agenda. The BIC is a member of the global network of investigative journalists.
Our journalists are the recipients of the national award “Free Word” from the Association of Journalists of Belarus in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. At "Free Word" 2021 BIC’s team also received first place for Analytics
BIC is a member of the OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project)
We are also members of GIJN (Global Investigative Journalism Network)
“Poles Would Love to Travel to Belarus to See Peaceful Life, Unlike Belarusians Who Have 'Seen Enough of Democracy'.”Belarusian TV's False Claim Refuted by Figures
1.5 million Belarusians, representing 15% of their country's population, traveled to Poland in the same period to experience democracy.
State-run TV ‘Belarus-1’ reported that Poles allegedly yearn to travel to Belarus for a peaceful life, but Poland is taking a course of isolation. The Weekly Top Fake team looked into whether the neighbors are really rushing to Belarus.
The Polish authorities announced the creation of a buffer zone around the border with Belarus and border strengthening. This decision came in the aftermath of a Polish soldier's tragic death from a knife wound received during the patrolling of the Polish-Belarusian border on May 28. He was attacked by a man from a group of migrants who were trying to break through the barrier.
Covering the news about the border strengthening on June 11, 2024, the state TV ‘Belarus-1’ reported that Poland is taking measures due to fears that Poles will go to Belarus to see a peaceful life.
“Warsaw is taking a course of isolation, not opening border crossings, going on strike, you have to stand on the border for up to 70 hours. And what are you afraid of? We've seen enough of your democracy — we don't need it. But Poles would be happy to come to us to see a peaceful life,” said presenter, Darya Rachko.
The presenter's claim doesn't match the statistics. According to the State Border Committee of Belarus, at the beginning of 2023, 22,000 Poles entered Belarus visa-free, and at the beginning of 2024 — 65,000. Thus, last year, about 43,000 Polish citizens, or 0.1% of the country's population, came to look at a peaceful life.
In contrast, according to Polish border statistics, 1.5 million Belarusians, representing 15% of their country's population, traveled to Poland in the same period to experience democracy.
