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)
Fact-checking: Brandenburg Gate Falsely Reported Have Displayed Soviet Symbolism
Since the Weekly Top Fake team could not find reports of similar incidents in German-language media, they contacted the Berlin police for comment.
Pro-government Belarusian media falsely reported that, on the evening of May 8, the iconic emblem of the Soviet Union, the hammer and sickle, was proudly displayed on the Brandenburg Gate — a national symbol of Germany and Berlin's most famous landmark. The Weekly Top Fake team checked whether this was true.
A post published on May 8, 2024, by the Telegram channel Minskaya Pravda, alleged that Soviet symbolism was projected onto the Brandenburg Gate. The post included a photo and video showing the Gate lit up in red with the hammer and sickle symbol on its columns.
The Telegram channel’s authors quoted media reports speculating that the projection may have been hacked.
Since the Weekly Top Fake team could not find reports of similar incidents in German-language media, they contacted the Berlin police for comment.
“According to the assessment based on all the available information at the disposal of the Berlin police, the videos and photographs circulating on social media depicting the alleged projection on the Brandenburg Gate are deemed to be optical/graphical fabrications,” the police response stated.
The presenter referred to the cost of the basic food basket. Over the past two years, the price of the Polish basket has risen by 7%, while the price of the Belarusian basket has risen by around 15%.
It won’t cost you anything!1.5% of your taxes in Poland can support the work of the Belarusian Investigative Center
When filing your PIT tax return in Poland, you can allocate 1.5% of the taxes you’ve already paid to any non-profit organization. That means you can choose to support the work of the Belarusian Investigative Center with your 1.5%.
When completing your PIT, enter BIC’s details in the section “1.5% podatku dla OPP.” Here’s what you need to include in your declaration:
