MINSK, 10 August (BelTA) – The Union State common information space is still non-existent, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the Big Conversation with the President, a meeting with the public, experts and media community in the format of a big press conference in Minsk on 9 August, BelTA has learned.
“I often cite Russian journalists as an example for Belarusian ones: look at how they work. I name certain journalists, especially those working on the RTR TV channel,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. At the same time, when Belarus approaches Russia for support in the media, all it gets is ‘a small statement' on popular TV channels.
“Why would Russians not support Belarusians, our position?” the president asked a reasonable question. “It is simple. A TV host will make a lukewarm statement somewhere out there, and this is it. Why? What kind of information space can we talk about today?” the president asked.
It is not easy to get on Russian TV channels because of various groups of influence, money. “Give us an opportunity to tell Russians who we are,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“The only thing that remains in our culture is the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival. When did Russians broadcast it?” the Belarusian leader said criticizing the position of Russian TV channels. Broadcasts are available at night, not during prime time, and for a fee.
The BelRos channel which representative asked the question does not have the same influence as, for example, RTR. Yet, regardless of how big its viewership is, it is necessary to support this channel and make it more informative, the Belarusian head of state believes. “If you meet us halfway, we will do it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He believes that this resource is easy to promote if it is filled with high-quality content and it can be used to achieve equal conditions in the information field. This channel should be utilized.
“There are many issues on which we need to work. When an information war is going on against us, we need to stand together,” the president emphasized.
