Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) – Heads of ministries and government agencies should publicly state their views and make comments on ongoing important events. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with representatives of the country’s largest state-run mass media on 10 April, BelTA has learned.

During the meeting reporters said that after headline-making events they sometimes fail to get timely comments from heads of the relevant agencies. Some civil servants resort to dropping “No comments” and running away from cameras. In such situations the interpretation of events in social networks sometimes produces things, which have nothing in common with what really has transpired.

Alexander Lukashenko agreed that the situation is not normal. “It is not normal if the head of state talks more than the minister about the topic the minister should know better,” noted the head of state. He stressed that heads of the relevant government agencies should speak up so that the public could get objective and timely information.

The role of press services, which are also supposed to deliver up-to-date and important information to the general public, was also mentioned during the meeting with the Belarus president.