Can national interests be 'damaged' by media criticism?

On Monday, May 4, the Information Minister Lilia Ananich announced the closure of 18 sites, due to "promotion or trafficking in drugs or spreading profanity" and warned journalists about the need to only publish the "information that contributes to the development of society and the state, and in no way harms the national interests."

What exactly is meant by the "harm to national interests"? No criticism of the authorities, laws, government officials? Euroradio asked this question to the Information Minister at today's exhibition Mass Media in Belarus.

Liliya Ananich: Criticism of the government and public institutions is an integral part of the media. But criticism should be based on concrete facts. Most importantly, it should create new processes and new phenomena, which, of course, are born in Belarus. Today, we are together looking for the best options to develop social sphere, economy, put as the main objective development our country. Therefore, all that is in contributing to this process should be reflected in the media space.

When asked to clarify, what specifically captured or written by a journalist can "damage national interests", Minister Liliya Ananich gave no reply. "Look at how many interesting people there are around, go and talk to them!" she advised in return.

Why not? We headed to the deputy head of the Presidential Administration Ihar Buzousky with the question: "Does the presidential administration consider the critical articles in the media as an attack on national security?"

Ihar Buzousky: "Any information could be either constructive or destructive. If this information is positive, then definitely it will be perceived. You could have noticed it in the latest meeting of the heads of state. The way the dialogue is built shows that the state, state authorities are even seeking such information to prevent any human problems. Therefore, it is welcomed and, it will even be supported I am sure."

Suddenly, speaking on the topic, "What can Belarusian media learn from foreign colleagues," the representative of the presidential administration said: how to behave "at the information war, using propaganda and counter propaganda, you need to learn ... from the Russian Federation."

Euroradio: Do ​​you think that it is necessary to protect Belarusians from the information war going on between Russia and Ukraine? More specifically, from its Russian part, because the Ukrainian media are not common here.

Ihar Buzousky: There is such a thing as information security. It refers to avoiding misinformation of people. This is the main problem, and it is carried out. It is performed in the framework of the legislation, including the ministerial level, the Ministry of Communications. To avoid slander, appeals  prohibited by the legal framework. The relevant legal framework is present in Belarus, and so it will be carried out and ensured.

Euroradio: But propaganda can be tricky and hidden.

Ihar Buzousky: There are modern forms and methods of dealing with information. And first of all - at the level of prevention. If there is a cunning and covert form of defamation, appeals and so on, that we overlooked in terms of normative legal base, it will be developed further.

Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk