"Autoradio" stops broadcasting in Belarus
The Ministry of Information is convinced that "calls for extremist activity" sounded on the radio-station's waves.
The radio-station is to claim this decision in court.
"Autoradio" became silent at 12.4o on January 12 in Belarus. The Ministry of Information cancelled the stations' permission to use the radio frequency and to exploite radio-electronic means.
The director of the closed radio-station Jury Bazan has explained live on air on Euroradio that it fact it means prohibition to broadcast at the territory of Belarus.
"This decision was taken on January 11 by the Republican Commission on TV and Radio. The document, signed by the Minister of Information Aleh Praliaskouski says that "Autoradio" has broken the claimed creative concept. Another claim of the Ministry of Information concerned the fact that "calls for extremist activity" sounded on air in the program "Autoradio Radio Station" on December 16", — added "Autoradio"'s director.
It is not explained in the document, what exactly was considered as "calls for extremist activity" by the Ministry of Information.
"However, we think that they mean the advertising materials of Andrej Sannikau and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, at that moment - the presidential candidates, — Jury Bazansupposes. — We did play them on air, and there is, for example, the following phrase "The country's destiny is decided not in the kitchen, but at the Square". However, are there any calls in these words? Moreover, "Autoradio" received no warnings from the Central Election Commission or the Ministry of Information during the electoral campaign".
"Autoradio"'s administration plans to claim the decision of the Commission on TV and Radio in the Economic Court. The station has an opportunity to be back on air, thinks Jury Bazan. However, the silence which will last for the whole time of court trials, will cause big financial losses, as the radio used to get profit mostly from selling advertising air time.
The director of the closed radio-station Jury Bazan has explained live on air on Euroradio that it fact it means prohibition to broadcast at the territory of Belarus.
"This decision was taken on January 11 by the Republican Commission on TV and Radio. The document, signed by the Minister of Information Aleh Praliaskouski says that "Autoradio" has broken the claimed creative concept. Another claim of the Ministry of Information concerned the fact that "calls for extremist activity" sounded on air in the program "Autoradio Radio Station" on December 16", — added "Autoradio"'s director.
It is not explained in the document, what exactly was considered as "calls for extremist activity" by the Ministry of Information.
"However, we think that they mean the advertising materials of Andrej Sannikau and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, at that moment - the presidential candidates, — Jury Bazansupposes. — We did play them on air, and there is, for example, the following phrase "The country's destiny is decided not in the kitchen, but at the Square". However, are there any calls in these words? Moreover, "Autoradio" received no warnings from the Central Election Commission or the Ministry of Information during the electoral campaign".
"Autoradio"'s administration plans to claim the decision of the Commission on TV and Radio in the Economic Court. The station has an opportunity to be back on air, thinks Jury Bazan. However, the silence which will last for the whole time of court trials, will cause big financial losses, as the radio used to get profit mostly from selling advertising air time.
