‘One in a million interview’: Lukashenka meeting with state-run media


Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been reported to meet with journalists in a TV studio of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company (BT) on Tuesday. Since the Belarusian leader not often grants interviews, the event will definitely be a headliner.

On April 9, the Belarusian Agency of Television News (ATN) posted the following:

“One in a million interview! Ask the most important person in the country! For the first time in a long period, the president of Belarus will meet with reporters at the country’s information epicentre – in a television studio in Makayonka Street,” the statement reads.

At the same time, BT promised to voice questions and from ordinary citizens, including Internet users – of course, not all of them, but only the ‘most interesting’. Only representatives of state-run media have been invited to the meeting; however, belsat.eu is picking out the high spots of the interview:

Mass media should fight for minds of Belarusians

“Mass media can crush anyone in one blow. It is the nformation wars that have become the hallmark of the 21st century. Mass media have been turned into weapon. In fact, this weapon is more powerful than nukes, because a low-yield device in the shape of a news story can take hold of the whole world. And it is not apparent that the destructive power of nuclear weapon is greater.

<…> If we do not win over the hearts and minds of the Belarusians, we will fail to ever build an independent country in its classical form.”

Transferring power to other branches

“I believe that some functions of the president should be handed over to other branches of power.” In his opinion, the executive power should play a more prominent role.

<…> I know for sure it is not the time yet.”

New media law: identification before commenting

The main thing is that everyone should work in equal conditions, compete. Some speak openly, honestly on TV. Everyone sees this. Some may like what they say, others do not… Some love to remain anonymous. Why would not they openly write on the internet and put their signature. What are they afraid of?”

New edition of ‘parasite law’

Lukashenka expressed outrage about the government’s paying for educational, medical, housing and utility services for about 500,000 working-age Belarusians who are not employed.

“The main point is to make them work. This [law on ‘parasites’] was my idea, no one gave it to me.”

Belarusian TV channels

“I am pressing hard for a better television so that there would be a nice picture as well as the consistency and completenes of your reports. A reporter should say two sentences and strile home. I want to watch our own channels. I am too nationalistic in this respect. <…> This platforms [TV stations] should be Belarusian.”

Civil cervants should be in contact with jounalists

“If I hear or read it on the Internet that some civil servant does not talk to the press and fails to provide the information he or she should provide — primarily to our key reporters and mass media — I want your proposals on replacing such a civil servant right away. Because failing to talk to the press for the second time will be a very painful experience.”

Private property more effective

“We are not euphoric about private property. You want state-controlled property to fall into private hands overnight? These are systemic changes. But they have never written specifically what these systemic changes are. Because otherwise people will never support this. This requires an evolutionary approach.

Once they reproached me that I was not market-driven and that I did not support private property. This is not true. I worked in the material production and lived among peasants. I know what private ownership means. It is always more effective than collective ownership.”

Presidential diet

“Three eggs for breakfast, meat for lunch, fish, in any amount, for dinner. It is a strict diet based on proteins.”

He also has snacks between meals, Lukashenka added.

belsat.eu, following BelTA

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