Lukashenko: information war unleashed against Belarus, and we must not lose it
The President has led a meeting today focusing on current issues of the mass media activity
“We will talk today about the tasks that are to be solved in the information sphere. Let us agree on the conditions in which we have to work. An information war is in full swing – it is a global information war, and we are its participants. I will not say that this is happening by our will. In this regard, we need to consider problematic issues in the work of our leading media,” Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed the heads of the Republican mass media who were among the meeting participants, adding that the topic of the conversation concerned not only those present. “It will concern our whole country – and primarily, the mass media. No matter how difficult it might be, you must not only keep the focus of the audience's attention, enlighten, explain and support, but also think about your own development,” he stressed.
The Head of State informed that a draft decree regulating the issues of advertising in the mass media had been submitted to him for consideration. The Government and the President Administration have already studied this issue several times – from different angles. Aleksandr Lukashenko also recalled that a domestic system of media measurements had been put into effect: it should ensure transparency of the market and ratings of TV channels and radio stations in Belarus. A register of advertising distributors has also been created.
“The situation has changed dramatically. As a result of the current geopolitical conflict, a new wave of predatory sanctions has been poured down on Russia and, at the same time, on Belarus. This is probably not the limit,” the President said.
With this in view, the Head of State addressed Information Minister Vladimir Pertsov with a number of questions, “What are we going to do? Do we have real tools to support the media in this situation?”
The conversation at the meeting was focused not only on the economy. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “I will not get tired of repeating: any support can be provided only for a specific development plan. You see how rudely they are fighting against us. They are demonising Moscow and Minsk in full view of the rest of the world – and have even surpassed Sharp and Goebbels.”
According to the President, the Internet is pouring streams of outright, the most brazen and wild lies. All decency is forgotten, and nobody even thinks of the norms of journalism and professional responsibility.
“This is a full-scale information war – for the minds of our people, for the future of children. We must not lose this war," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We have a good starting position. Therefore, we would not lose it if we do not make global mistakes.”
