Internet threat: Big brother rests in Belarus

Owners of internet cafes in Belarus are legally liable for all content viewed by their customers, according to a police officer, Igor Chernenko, in charge of internet crimes in the country.

In 1997, a law was introduced by the country's government, requiring Internet cafe owners to register websites visited by their clients in a special logbook.

All the electronic media in the country are reportedly under total control of the government, the Novye Izvestia daily has reported.

The same applies to TV and newspapers which are also covered by the tough self-censorship burden.

The stir over media controls started after an unhappy joke by a young man about a girl.