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Natallia Radzina: But for Independent Media, Putin Would Already Occupy Belarus

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Natallia Radzina: But for Independent Media, Putin Would Already Occupy Belarus
Natallia Radzina

Now independent Belarusian media needs assistance of Poland.

The other day the Białystok University hosted debates on "The Polish contribution to the development of independent Belarusian media". The regional center of international debates of Białystok organized the event.

Director of Biełsat TV Agnieszka Romaszewska, editor-in-chief Natallia Radzina, director of Radio Racyja Jauhen Vapa, deputy chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Mikhail Yanchuk, director of Belsat news program Aliaksei Dzikavitski, editor-in-chief Slonimskaya Gazeta Viktar Valadashchuk, one of the leaders of Union of Poles in Belarus Andrzej Pisalnik and director of Department on Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova at the Centre for Eastern Studies Wschodnich Wojciech Konończuk particcipated in the discussion.

Moderator Agnieszka Romaszewska noted that "the relation improvement between Lukashenka and Polish authorities has always implied threat of suspension of support to independent media. But the assistance to the independent Belarusian media is a very essential Polish activity."

Now Poland supports Belsat TV, charter97.org, Radio Racyja and Euroradio.

PHOTO BY RADIO RACYJA

During debates editor-in-chief of charter97.org Natallia Radzina told about the destruction of freedom of speech in Belarus:

"Information space of Belarus is almost free from independent media and propaganda ofLukashenka and Putin reigns today. Belarusian TV broadcasts exclusively Russian news and political programs. In addition, Russian TV has a free access to the Belarusian media field. Russian and Belarusian point of view on the situation in Ukraine, international events, the world policy almost coincides.

After millions of claims on the part of bureaucrats and repressions of the Information Ministries only few independent media could survive, but they are issued once a week and in limited edition; independent radio programmes are not allowed. Journalists are persecuted for "insulting the president", "extremism" and even for "organization of mass disorders", the way I experienced it. Journalists are murdered. Some of them are Dzmitry Zavadsky, Veranika Charkasava, Vasil Hrodnikau, founder of charter97.org Aleh Bebenin, founder of Belorussky Partisan Pavel Sheremet recently killed in Ukraine."

Natallia Radzina reminded of hard working conditions of freelance journalists in Belarus, an inability to work normally without accreditation for foreign media, which was required.

"Here independent media working from abroad requires serious assistance. According to the most recent independent polls, about 50% Belarusians support Russian actions in Ukraine. But for independent media, such support could equal to 70-80%. In this case Putin would have already occupied Belarus.

Belarusians still preserve their national consciousness and identity because of independent media," editor-in-chief of charter97.org, informs.

AGNIESZKA ROMASZEWSKA AND NATALIA RADZINA
PHOTO BY RADIO RACYJA

According to Radzina, Western politicians somehow do not take into account that now the Lukashenka's regime is an actual bankrupt, the economy does not work and salaries equal to $80-100.

"Lukashenka has never been as weak as today: if there was an intention, one could reach many accessions involving better conditions for independent media. Termination of assistance to independent media would be a senseless and criminal mistake. Poland is the one which provides the greatest assistance to independent media in Belarus. Journalists appreciate it very much," editor-in-chief of charter97.org told.

Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Mikhail Yanchuk said:

"It is hard to estimate the scale of assistance that Poland provided, provides and, I hope, will provide with to the Belarusian media, we have only few such friends in the field. I hope people who make decisions both in Poland and in the EU will hear us and realize how much further existence of independent and free word means to Belarus.

Belarus is not just a neighbouring country of Poland and the EU, but this is the territory where the future of the post-Soviet space is decided. If democracy wins in Belarus, its march eastward is possible. If today we surrender to imperial Russia in its current form, nothing can save us from the "Russian world".

Andrzej Pisalnik representing znadniemna.pl drew attention to the fact that both website and Głos znad Niemna magazine, in fact, exists underground in Belarus.

The journalist reminded of two Unions of Poles in Belarus: an official one which is controlled by the government and special services and unofficial one denied by the Belarusian authorities, but welcomed abroad and supported by most Poles in Belarus:

"It is clear that Poles who resist the current regime cannot issue their own media without assistance of the Polish state," Pisalnik said.

Director of Belsat news program Aliaksei Dzikavitski noted":

"The contribution of Poland to the existence of Belsat TV is priceless. The Foreign Ministry of Poland is our main sponsor. I do hope that changes in political climate between Minsk and Warsaw will not negatively affect the assistance to Belarusian independent media. It would be a pity to lose what has been done during these 10 years. We have journalists, eye-catching documentaries, well-skilled correspondents, operators and not only in Belarus. We know well that official Minsk is extremely skilled in things like playing with the West or the East. But all these games and thaw in relations may be stopped with one word of Moscow, not even Minsk."

During debates director of Radio Racyja Jauhen Vapa noted that on the Belarus-Poland border there were 36 FM radio stations available in two countries. Therefore, Radio Racyja exists in a competitive environment. According to Vapa, broadcasting in Belarusian is of value of the radio station.

"The Polish Foreign Ministry is one of the main reasons why the radio station has existed since 2006. There is a simple and clear treaty between us: it gives us money and does not interfere in our business, and we can do independent journalism from the Belarusian perspective. It is really useful now."

After the debates Deputy of the Polish Sejm Robert Tyszkiewicz told in the interview to Radio Racyja that he would do his best to provide the Belarusian independent media with further assistance:

"I think that the Polish assistance to democratic Belarusian centres has become a good tradition. And the best part of it is assistance to independent Belarusian media. Building on our neighbourhood contacts we must also ensure that democratic standards relating to civil liberties, freedom of speech, independent media are constantly evolved. Every effort must be made to ensure that the Polish Sejm and the Polish Government continue to implement programmes of support of independent media".

Director of Department on Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova at the Centre for Eastern Studies Wschodnich Wojciech Konończuk noted:

"Independent media are needed to develop the Belarusian democratic society and model the image of Poland as a democratic country and friendly neighbour. We do not cherish illusions. Lukashenka cannot be changes, although, we should negotiate with him. Poland is the largest donor to the Belarusian independent media and it would not exist in the form we can see it now without this assistance."

According to one of the leaders of the Centre for Eastern Studies, it is very important to "preserve the isles of freedom in Belarus represented by independent media."

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