Information minister says Belarus has no issues with freedom of speech
MINSK. May 22 (Interfax) - Talks that Belarusian mass media outlets do not have freedom of speech is a stereotype, the country's mass media is in line with international standards, Belarusian Minister of Communications and Informatization, Oleg Proleskovsky, said.
"This lack of freedom of speech is utterly not true. We are an open space. I, as an information minister, do not have any serious appeals or issues. We have a very simple mass media registration procedure and sometimes even our neighbors have more complex ones. We are open for dialog," Proleskovsky told reporters ahead of the Belarusian International Media Forum opening.
Proleskovsky said that those talking about lack of freedom of speech were to pay attention to their own problems. "This is a formed stereotype, such blurred topics. Those, who tell us this, should look closely at themselves. And we are attentively reading reports of various organizations, which problems our 'teachers' have. We do not have such problems. Especially with the freedom of mass media. It is an open expanse - you can target it from the West and from the East."
Proleskovsky said that Belarus has over 1,500 registered print media outlets and almost 300 electronic ones. "We have very democratic laws on mass media. These speculations have already become deafening," he said. Belarusian mass media is in line with the modern tendencies of journalism development.
"We have advanced considerably in the past years on our presence on the Internet. Our media is generally calm and complies with the mentality of its people. Mass media does not bring any serious shocks, we actually do not have this," Proleskovsky said.
When speaking on the topic of the forum, the historical and cultural heritage as a unity factor, Proleskovsky said: "As to patriotism and historical, cultural and spiritual heritage, I do not have major issues with our journalists as a minister and as a citizen."
