Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) – Humanitarians should help the state find adequate answers to new challenges of the modern world. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement in his speech during the second congress of Belarusian scientists on 13 December, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “Social technologies represent the most important product of humanitarian knowledge. Recipes to direct people’s minds are created today. These technologies are used from outside the country primarily via mass media, the Internet, and not always to the benefit of Belarus. We should learn how to counteract negative trends in this sphere. It is necessary to work out our own social technologies, use them to consolidate the society, encourage patriotism, stimulate creative initiatives of people at all levels. Learning how to forecast urgent problems and processes of society development, help the state find adequate answers to new challenges of the modern world is one of the topical tasks Belarusian humanitarians face.”

According to the president, today mass media and the Internet are full of opinions of false analysts bent on destroying stability and tranquility in the society. “A global war is in progress. But the war is waged with unconventional methods, primarily in mass media. All of you see it. This war via mass media virtually leaves the society disoriented. We are disoriented in many areas, too. We fail to properly evaluate what is going on in various hot spots on the planet. Because particularly strong countries use mass media for disorientation purposes,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that no mass media, including digital ones, are forbidden in Belarus. “They shoot our country through and through. I am not going to mention their names. I don’t want it to become the spotlight of the congress afterwards just the way these mass media can spin it,” said the president.

The Belarus president said he would like to hear the voice of respected pro-government scientists in response. “Can you tell me how many scientists of this kind the nation knows? Where are these patriotic scientists, who should protect the state in this information war? The bulk of mass media in Belarus are state-owned. Who doesn’t let you use them? Reporters sometimes complain that it is difficult to make scientists or captains of industry appear on television. Is it normal? It is your job today. You should fight on this frontline so that we would not have to face a frontline of another kind,” Alexander Lukashenko told those present.