Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) – The major goal of the new law on mass media is to protect people from destructive information, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with the heads of major state mass media outlets, BelTA has learned.

Speaking about the main tasks of mass media outlets, the head of state noted that some of them are described in the new law on media. They include the development of the domestic TV content. According to Alexander Lukashenko, the new law has been designed to “protect our people from a flow of unverified, false, destructive information.”

According to the president, quality journalism with an author’s position, reliable facts and deep analytics are highly in demand today. “Your goal is to catch the attention of readers and viewers. You need to carefully prioritize your activities and think over the thematic and genre variety of TV channels and newspapers to draw the attention of people of different age and opinion,” the head of state said.

In his words, it seems impossible today to take the youth away from mobile phones and computers and make them read a newspaper. “Thus, we must offer them something interesting and objective on the internet,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The president said that he had approved the discussion of the amendments to the law on media in the parliament together with media representatives. “You should make this law for yourselves. I want you to be happy with this law. It will be great if they, who are asking me this question, are happy with the law, too. It does not matter that they did not vote for me. I am the president of the Belarusian people and I am ready to take all the interests into account,” the Belarusian leader said.

He stressed that the proposed changes should be discussed. “The main thing is that everyone should work in equal conditions, compete. Some speak openly, honestly on TV. Everyone sees this. Some may like what they say, others do not… Some love to remain anonymous. Why would not they openly write on the internet and put their signature. What are they afraid of,” Alexander Lukashenko asked.

The president urged all to openly voice their positions and discuss the draft amendments to the law. The government will keep control over the information related to terrorism, calls or popularization of other negative processes.