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“A point of view”
Maxim (the real identity of the editorial committee is known, his interlocutor did not want to make it known for fear of his own safety – ed.) He said that there is only one point of view in the Belarusian state media – the official.
“Only what the president says and what his attitude is is written on the issue of the election. And the opposition and other candidates are either not covered at all or are covered in a negative light. When it comes to prosecuting, for example, Babaryka or Cichanouski, there has always been an opinion: that they are to blame, ”he said.
VIDEO: Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets again on Sunday, no detainees or tanks.
The candidates of banker Viktor Babaryka and blogger Sergei Cichanouski were arrested even before the presidential elections. When S. Cichanouski found himself behind bars, his initiative group was searched by his wife Sviatlana Cichanouskaja, who was finally allowed to stand for election. Belarusians, who have been protesting for more than three weeks, consider her the winner of the elections.
According to Maxim, some journalists simply present the position of official bodies such as the Interior Ministry or the Commission of Inquiry, others write opinion pieces that opposition candidates are “trying to steal the country, divide it, etc.”
According to Maxim, the instructions did not change after the mass protests began.
“When the first protester was killed, the ministry announced that he had been killed in the explosion of an unidentified device, which he allegedly tried to throw at the militiamen. A video released later shows officials shot him. It was not mentioned in my post. ” 15 minutes said the former journalist.
Decided to see the violence
Maxim said he had many doubts about whether to continue working in state media.
“As the elections approached, the gap between my inner state, how I saw the situation and how it was presented in the publication where I worked was growing. The moment I learned of Babaryka’s incarceration, I decided to quit my job. However, I did not want to go out causing a scandal, because it is not clear what will come to them, maybe they will think about chasing me. There was also an important financial aspect, ”she said.
VIDEO: Exclusive interview with retired Belarusian journalist: protests won’t end soon
Ultimately, Maxim agreed with the employers that he would resign a few weeks after the election.
However, when about 80% of the elections were announced on Election Day. (how many votes were received by A. Lukashenko – ed.) and I saw with my own eyes how the militia treated peaceful protesters – threw sound grenades, hit rubber sticks – I realized that I could no longer work there. Among those arrested and beaten were my friends and acquaintances.
The next day I got to the manager, of course I did not say openly (reason for leaving – ed.), I said I was tired and I wanted to go now. He gave me a few days to process the documents, I did not consider it a force. ” 15 minutes he told Maxim.
The former journalist assured him that he now has a clear conscience.
“It just came to our attention then. At least those who live in the cities, Minsk and other places, and those who participate in the protests,” he added.
VIDEO: Detainees in Belarus spoke of incomprehensible cruelty: “You could hear people being beaten outside all night.”
Maxim said he was not currently thinking of one more career.
“Today, every Belarusian does not think about himself, but about the prospects of the country. Because we will develop personal careers later, I hope in the new Belarus.
In present-day Belarus, however, the Lukashenko government pays journalists much more in state media than in private (paid) media. There are only two private posts that pay the same or even a little more. The staff is small, not easy to find. But there are solidarity aid programs, those who have left state measures for political reasons can request financial support, “he added.
Following a strike by some Belarusian state television and radio companies, Alexander Lukashenko announced that Russian journalists had taken their jobs.
In Belarus, massive protests broke out on August 9, when government officials said they had been defeated by leader Lukashenko. In the first days, officials brutally suppressed the protests, arresting a total of about 7,000 people. people, some of them run. Protesters released from isolation and the doctors treating them denounce violence and torture.
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