BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
02/03/2007
Belarus Cabinet's Directive Aimed Against Freedom of Speech - Journalists' NGO
Text of report in English by Belarusian news agency Belapan
Minsk, 1 March: In what many view as a move to discourage government officials from contacts with independent media outlets, the Belarusian cabinet has threatened punishment against officials whose comments given to the media contain "biased" or "incorrect" coverage of the country's economic situation.
"I request you to ensure control over public statements (interviews, articles) of civil servants to the media, including the non-state press," said a confidential letter signed by Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Kabyakow that was sent to all governmental agencies on 22 February.
The memo was posted on several websites on 28 February.
The letter warned that officials whose remarks appearing in newspapers and other media outlets would misrepresent the economic situation would face a disciplinary action and may be even sacked.
The deputy prime minister directed that all governmental agencies should closely study media reports and alert the Information Ministry if they discover any biased coverage. "Take measures to disseminate objective information to the public, including by publishing official statements, denials, etc.," the letter said.
Zhana Litvina, chairwoman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, expressed fears that the directive would completely block the private media's access to first-hand government information.
"Apparently, this means that current processes in the economic sphere are not manageable," she told Belapan. "That's why it is the priority task of government agencies to withhold information from people, prevent them from analysing and discussing it."
"This is yet another document aimed against the profession of journalist and freedom of speech. Reporters will find it extremely hard to obtain information," Litvina said.
Source:
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