Information Minister Oleh Proleskovski, speaking about the situation in the Belarusian mass media, formed after the terrorist attack in Minsk subway on April 11, showed particular concern with regard to Internet sources. "As events have shown, one should put an and to this practice and to introduce at least the minimum order on the Internet," said Minister of Information.
«Some comrades, disguised by apparent anonymity, for some reason feel capable and competent to judge what is truth and what is a lie, by refuting the official sources, by the way. If they have their own ideas, let them present their vision and arguments directly to law enforcement authorities. And the latter will take the necessary decisions,» said Oleh Proleskovski.
According to him, the authorities have all the necessary tools and capabilities to bring to justice the authors of gossip and slander on the Internet, bearing real harm to society, BelTA informs.
It’s Time to Stop Recklessness on Internet, Ministry of Information
«Actually, we’ve had them before, but haven’t widely used them, if used at all,» said Oleh Proleskovski, stressing that it’s time to end the «recklessness in blogs, social networks and other Internet sites.»
An example of such an irresponsible attitude to the provision of information, according to the Minister, is the newspaper «Nasha Niva,» received a warning for the information that the victims of the subway explosion, Marina Shubich, had allegedly been taken to hospital from the place of attack just about 23:00 on April 11. «The authors of stories, might have felt pride that they had «caught» the Belarusian authorities: while the president was laying flowers at the site of the terrorist attack, there were still wounded people there,» Minister of Information explained the reasons for this warning.
Meanwhile, the minister said, that doctors of the 3rd Clinical Hospital of Minsk began to operate on the girl at 18:45. As noted by Oleh Proleskovski, namely efficiency of the Belarusian medics had helped to save the life of the girl, who was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Opposition Media Performed «Political Mission» after Attack, Ministry of Information
«Most importantly, the publication of «inhuman» president and «useless» public medical and rescue workers has come out. «Sensation» has been organized. «Opposition» political mission has been accomplished,» the minister said.
«The same opposition newspaper has recently published the material under the title «terror against its own people» with regard to the bombing on April 11. These very actions by irresponsible gossips from the internet and the media are the real terror against their own people, open and shameless,» Minister of Information. The head of Ministry of Information considers the actions of politicians towards introducing economic sanctions against Belarus the next day after the attack as that very «terror against its own people.»
Terror Act Divided Media in «Honest and Dishonest,» Ministry of Information
In general, according to Oleh Proleskovski, a tragedy has not only rallied the Belarusian society, but has also divided it in some sense. «Part of our people revealed themselves in a whole new way: they have neither confused, nor panicked in the new circumstances, under a threat to life, but have assisted the victims, worked day and night to save lives, to investigate the crime, collecting donations, being worried about the people and the country. And these people were, of course, the vast majority. Another, much smaller portion of society has behaved differently: gossiping, panicking, deliberately accusing the authorities of organizing terrorist attacks in Minsk Subway and, thus, trying to score points on tragedy. Unfortunately, it has taken place as well,» stated the Minister of Information.
A similar division, according to Oleh Proleskovski happened among the media. «However, this division was not by the line «public — private» but by a simpler line: «honest — dishonest.» Some publications have worked to stabilize the situation, to help the victims and restore peace in society. Others have been spreading disinformation among the society,» the minister said.
