Information Minister Oleg Proleskovski said on December 2 that there're no online media in the country. "We have no such a notion as Internet media. We've got an estimated norm in the law that we haven't implemented yet ... So far online media isn't officially the media. It has more of bloggers, perhaps, than of true journalists," he said.
«I think that the government decree will solve this issue next year,» the minister said, AFN.
According to him, the journalist can not be objective in his publications, so he must realize his social responsibility — «a desire to always be aware of the social, political and cultural implications, caused by publication of his material.» «We have a fairly common view that the journalist, on the contrary, should not feel constrained to write openly everything he sees and understands. But no journalist can be entirely objective! Agree, all of us have our views, passions, our own position. Does it make sense to claim for knowing the absolute truth then?» Oleg Proleskovski said.
In his opinion, the basis of Belarusian journalism is formed by the people who «have their own civil position, openly defended in their work.» This is the most objective journalist, the minister said.
Warning Media is Saving them from Financial Ruin, Proleskovski
As the head of the Ministry of Information says, there is no fundamental problems with the media in Belarus. «They have (OSCE — Telegraf) a single question — not do warn the media. But when I reveal them the essence of such a warning, they understand and accept our position. Warning is a kind of airbag for all editions both pro-opposition and pro-governmental. If we sue in court for each inaccurate information in the media, they will face financial ruin,» he said.
According to him, there is also no Internet regulation, but only ordering. The OSCE representatives could get convinced in it as well, while discussing the implementation of the decree №60 for the regulation of the Internet, Oleg Proleskovski said.
Self-Repayment of State-Run Media is Not an End in Itself, Proleskovski
«Today, the content of our web sites is mostly free, the advertising market in the online media has a small volume and is, essentially, in its infancy. This situation, incidentally, is typical of the former Soviet Union and many foreign countries as well. So the print media are unlikely to turn into the Internet completely,» the Minister said.
He also suggested that the transition of the state media to self-repayment is not an end in itself. «Currently, the emphasis should be made on the information and ideological component,» he said.
Oleg Proleskovski criticized WikiLeaks site, publishing confidential documents of public authorities of different camps. «Hardly anyone will have the heart to call this action an example of objectivity and impartiality,» he said.
