Meeting to discuss state of affairs in mass media

The state-run media outlets should not only engage and educate their audience, but also think about their own development, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss the state of things in mass media on 25 March.

The President noted that the meeting will focus on the tasks that must be addressed by the media community, as well as bottlenecks in the work of the leading Belarusian media outlets.

“No matter how difficult it is, you must not only keep the attention of the audience, educate, explain, support, but also think about your own development,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

A draft decree regulating advertising in mass media was discussed at a meeting hosted by the head of state.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the draft decree had already been considered several times from various sides by the government and the Belarus President Administration. A domestic media measurement system has recently been launched in the country to ensure market transparency; a register of advertising distributors has been created.

“The situation has changed dramatically. And not for the better. As a result of the current geopolitical conflict, Russia and Belarus were subjected to a new barrage of predatory sanctions,” the President noted. Such pressure might continue, therefore a decision should be made on how to act in the current situation, the head of state is sure. “What are we going to do? What should we do? Do we have real tools to support mass media in the current situation? I would like to hear answers to these questions, first of all, from the information minister. He is very proficient in this matter,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the President, the conversation will not only be about the economy, although this is a very important aspect. “I will not get tired of saying: support can only be provided under a specific development plan. You must understand that you cannot request budgetary funds until you exhaust your earning potential. There is no extra money in the budget, but if we see appreciable results we will always find resources,” the head of state said.

"We have Pervy, ONT, STV and Mir channels, newspapers, magazines... They are not bullhorns of Lukashenko's propaganda, or garden-variety propaganda in a bad sense.  These are normal channels. So advertising should be placed in these mass media rather than in some rabid outlets who sought to destroy the state and continue to do it successfully grinning from abroad,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko warned media managers and journalists against becoming complacent after such a decision is taken. “We will not allow this. You know me well. I praise for good things, but rebuke (at the minimum) for bad things. That is what we must proceed from,” the head of state noted.

According to the President, the conversation will not only be about the economy, although this is a very important aspect. “I will not get tired of saying: support can only be provided under a specific development plan. You must understand that you cannot request budgetary funds until you exhaust your earning potential. There is no extra money in the budget, but if we see appreciable results  we will always find resources,” the head of state said.

At the meeting Aleksandr Lukashenko gave his take on propaganda activities of mass media. The head of state noted that propaganda is part and parcel of mass media and this should neither be denied nor feared. “I don’t know why this word was misinterpreted and defiled. Propaganda has always been and will be there. But we need to propagate the best. We have enough of it,” the head of state said.

“I don’t understand why you are so concerned about this. Propaganda has always been and will be. We just need to propagate not fake news and various rubbish as you correctly define it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing Chairman of the Belteleradiocompany Ivan Eismont. “You see, we are in a unique situation: I don’t want to offend other countries, but we are the only civilized country that looks decent,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

According to him, the state-run media in Belarus convey the truth without embellishing information. “We have enough newsworthy events and facts to present honestly and reliably to the entire global community, not only to our public. Let them watch and envy,” the President said.

“You see how roughly they are fighting against us. They are demonizing both Moscow and Minsk in front of the rest of the world. Even Sharp and Goebbels have already been outdone,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He drew attention to the outpouring of the most brazen and wild lies in the internet. “All decency has been lost. No one cares about journalistic standards, professional responsibility any more. This is a full-scale information warfare - for the minds of our people, for the future of children. We cannot lose this war. We are not supposed to lose it unless we make big mistakes,” the head of state said.

The President said that Belarusian state media outlets have been increasingly active online, often intercepting the agenda. "Belarusian major TV channels, Sovetskaya Belorussiya, BelTA are visible there. Yet, it will probably be premature to say that our information agenda dominates, that we are winning there," the head of state said.

He urged to work more with personnel and to develop human potential. "It is important, while keeping journalist teams, to look for new people - young, creative and, most importantly, patriotic. Thus we will ensure the continuity," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

“I strongly believe that we need to optimize personnel at television channels. You should keep those people whom you absolutely trust,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

The head of state believes that the state-run media outlets should come to grips with personnel issues and optimize their staff ‘as much as it is possible today’. This will help increase salaries, he said.

At the meeting Aleksandr Lukashenko gave his take on the idea to block YouTube and foreign social networks in the country.

"Of course, theoretically we could block major outlets such as YouTube, some social networks as Russia did it or we could put up a ‘golden shield’ as in China. Anytime. But I before we take a step, let's weigh all pros and cons of what will come out of it. If what they are doing there is harmful or will be even more harmful in the future, then let’s take this decision. If it has not yet come to this, let's wait and see. Let's not rush," the President said.

When making decisions, it is always necessary to tread carefully so as not to be sorry later, the President noted. "We need to make informed decisions, develop our own resources. We know how to do it," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “I think we need to develop our resources, including together with the Russians.”

“We should not give up – the lesson of 2020 when it seemed to us that everything is good. But no. This is why it is necessary to work. [An information] war is going on and a hot war nearby. And you see how certain people work against us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state pointed out that the self-exiled opposition and its followers are now pressuring citizens and trying to toy with their emotions by claiming that allegedly Belarus will go to war against Ukraine. They are trying to psychologically affect military personnel and particularly their families.

“I have told you one thousand and twenty times that we have no plans to fight in Ukraine. But the topic is hot. Belarusians genetically abhor wars. And now they are trying to pick at it. We have to respond to it beautifully. Not only propaganda but counterpropaganda was wisely talked about during the Soviet times. It is necessary to calmly respond to it but just not to make excuses,” the President noted.

The head of state noted that the self-exiled opposition is forming volunteer units for the war in Ukraine now. “Then who is really fighting in Ukraine today?” he wondered.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, numerous reports have been published abroad on Belarus’ possible involvement into the hostilities in Ukraine. They are doing it for a reason. "In this way, they are preparing the public for getting us dragged there," the head of state explained.

"There is only one way to drag us into the war: if there is an aggression against us, if they start war against us. So I keep my ear to the ground. As I read such statements, I ask the military to report on what's going on in the northwest, in the west. I ask whether we see everything, whether we have mobilized everything, whether intelligence is doing its job properly?" the President said.