MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – It is time to update Belarus' information policy, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he addressed the 6th Belarusian People's Congress on 11 February, BelTA has learned.
“It is time to update the information policy. The first priority is to ensure that the government's position is widely represented on the internet. Work on it is already underway. We have fallen behind in this matter, pinning too many hopes on the youth and our people, thinking that we will avoid such trouble, because we are honest and fair,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
According to him, it is important to involve in state media projects more bloggers, opinion shapers, representatives of social institutions, figures of culture and art.
The second task is to develop digital channels to get feedback from the population, helping people solve problems, analyzing proposals from citizens and social institutions, and involving Belarusians in decision-making.
“Thirdly, in view of the tenfold increase in the number of cybercrimes over the past five years, we should step up work to uncover and curb illegal activities, such as extremism and fraud. People themselves should be more cautious,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
It is also important to improve people's information literacy. “We should meet with people and talk to them,” the head of state stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko cited his meeting with students of Belarusian State University, which was attended by students other universities via a live stream, as an example of such a dialogue. The BSU was called the most opposition-minded university. “Do not believe those who write that everyone in the audience was specially selected. I strictly instructed not to do that and let everyone attend,” he stressed.
After the meeting with the president, the BSU carried out a sociological survey, which showed that about 55% of its staff and students support the incumbent president. “What does it prove? This is a signal to you [delegates]: wake up, get your head around the current situation and go to people after this congress, explain to them what is happening,” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked. He called to talk with the youth without clichés, sincerely.
“We should speak with people. They are constantly on their phones, in messengers… Some are catching hype, others are posting, and so on,” the head of state said. “Your applause is telling me that you are also into it. This is ok, we should know what is happening on the internet,” he added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he is also kept informed about the situation on the internet, both at home and at work. “I also have opposition, both objective and subjective, I also face this. We should know what is happening there and keep track of it,” the president noted.
There is an ongoing war in the media, Aleksandr Lukashenko believes. Belarus learned about it from last year's events.
“This is why we should be closer to people. We need to meet face to face and answer their questions. Pardon my wording, but even if we get a slap in the face, we should swallow it, because this means that we failed somewhere. If we do not work with the youth, we will perish,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
