Economic situation is next to impossible isn’t it? :: Charter'97 :: News

Prime Minister of Belarus Syargei Sidorsky ordered the government to arrange constructive cooperation with the press (state and non-state) dwelling on the economic situation in the republic as well as on work of the government. In case of non-objective and incorrect covering of economic processes it is ordered to apply disciplinary measures up to dismissal.

Subject to the order of Sidorsky the letter signed by Deputy Prime Minister A.Kabyakou explaining how the officials shall maintain the cooperation was sent to the republican state- governing bodies, state organizations, regional executive committees and to the Minsk executive committee. Actually, as it traditionally happens, at compiling the letter a certain concepts’ substitution occurred, as the state bodies are simply unaware of how to cooperate with the mass media. The AFN suggests the text of Letter # 11/810-234-confidential of 22 February 2007:

“1.To provide control of the appearance of state- governing bodies’ officials in mass media (interviews, articles) including the non-state press. In case of non-objective and incorrect covering of economic processes disciplinary measures up to dismissal shall be applied.

2.To provide constant monitoring of information published in mass media. In case of non-objective covering of issues in the spheres guided by a ministry, committee, concern, executive committee, corresponding suggestions shall be directed to the ministry of information; actions shall be taken on providing the public with objective information , among the actions shall be official appeals, refractions, etc. V.V. Rusakevich is ordered to provide personal control of fulfillment of the order.

Operative response to the cases of non-objective and incorrect covering of economic and other processes in the republic and of extensive employment of official information of the state- governing bodies in the mass media shall be provided.”