Belarus has an "election" looming, and neo-Stalinist President Alexander Lukashenko is putting the screws on what little independent media exists.

An excerpt from the March 17 BBC story:

He wants to prevent any popular uprising spurred on by the media, like those which ousted authoritarian governments in Georgia and Ukraine in recent years.

State television in Belarus leads as ever with President Lukashenko - on Friday it is his visit to a truck factory.

In his 12-year rule, the Belarussian president has all but eliminated the independent media.

Television, radio and the press blandly report his every word and action.

Mr Lukashenko's challengers in the election have barely had a mention.

Hostility to West

The state-controlled media have also provided a stream of stories accusing the US and others of trying to stage a coup.

Belarussians have plenty to remind them of the Soviet era

What is left of the opposition media faces continual pressure - which has been stepped up in recent weeks.

Sales of the handful of independent papers still publishing have become more and more difficult - subscriptions have been banned, newspaper kiosks ordered not to stock them and tens of thousands of copies seized.

Belarussian journalists covering government attempts to harass the opposition presidential candidates have been arrested and beaten.