Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) - Internet resources are an effective tool for shaping public opinion, Belarus Information Minister Alexander Karlyukevich said at the 13^th Belarusian International Media Forum Partnership for the Future: Digital Agenda for Media Space on 12 September, BelTA has learned.

Working out the agenda of the media forum, the main thing was to present a broader range of competent opinions on what is going on in the media sector today. The topic of the discussions is internet resources as an effective tool for shaping public opinion, the minister said.

“Journalists are often blamed for trying to manipulate public consciousness. Journalists are often seen as organizers of information wars. Perhaps, everything is much simpler than it seems to and journalists are just looking for the truth, trying to build a road from reality to the ideals of life-making. It often happens, however, that the word becomes a catalyst, formidable weapon that shoots at hearts, souls, penetrates consciousness,” stressed Alexander Karlyukevich. In his words, some five months ago the Belarusian head of state told journalists that their task is to shape constructive public opinion through timely objective coverage of events.

The 13th Belarusian International Media Forum Partnership for the Future: Digital Agenda for the Media Space is held in Minsk and Minsk District on 11-14 September. The media forum is attended by about 300 representatives of nearly 30 CIS and non-CIS states.