Ministry of Information to keep Russian TV channels in Belarus
Officials have no proof that Russian TV channels distributed libel and misinformation in connection with the events in Ukraine and Belarus.
Press secretary of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Barys Haretski asked the Ministry of Information of Belrus to consider a piece of news broadcast by the Russian First Channel (‘Sloviansk refugee recalls citizen soldiers’ little son and wife being killed before her very eyes’). He asked to reconsider the permission to broadcast Russian TV channels in Belarus if they systematically violate the Law on Mass Media.
“The Ministry of Information does not have the right to comment on violations of the Russian Federation’s Law on Mass Media by the First Channel,” deputy Minister Syarhei Hilman replied. It is possible to withdraw a channel’s license only if it rudely violates the Belarusian Law on Mass Media: if the licensed activities ‘are contrary to the interests of the Republic of Belarus’ and if the channel broadcasts information ‘forbidden or restricted by the law’. he said.
