President Alexander Lukashenko took part in the plenary session of the 19th World Congress of Russian Press. The President noted that the Internet and social media should be based on the laws of morality, decency and spirituality.
Representatives of 52 countries participate in the large-scale forum. Among them are 238 journalists from 213 media outlets, as well as leaders of international organizations and diplomatic missions, businessmen, politicians and media experts.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the profession of a journalist has changed drastically – considering the new technological conditions. A transition has occurred – to a new system of creating and disseminating information – the so-called civil journalism. Anyone who has a phone and access to the Internet can become a reporter. The President stressed that the meaning of the freedom of the press is not only about the choice, but also about the responsibility for everything that is reported. In his speech, the President also spoke about the so-called hybrid warfare.
In the past, various prominent people were the participants of the congress, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other prominent state and political figures. This year, the participants discuss the most important topics – what priorities of modern civilization are being generated in the media, whether mass media are the source of development, partnership and good neighborliness of countries and people, and how to confront the threats and challenges of the 21st century and unite the efforts of all countries in the struggle with threats to the stability in the world.
Grigory Rapota, еру State Secretary of the Union State believes that if human life is set as the highest value, then everything else will be right. The press will promote unification processes, criticize unpreparedness for such compromises and criticize any manifestation of cruelty.
Another topic of the current media congress in digital revolution. New approaches to media development are needed here.
Gennady Davydko, the Chairman of Belteleradiocompany thinks it is necessary to establish strict order in the information environment, because it has become explosive. Everyone understands this. And it is high time to understand that the media is not the fourth power, but maybe the second one, in terms of influence on people.
Also, within the framework of the congress, Alexander Lukashenko met with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the World Association of the Russian Language Press Vitaly Ignatenko, as well as First Deputy Director General of the TASS news agency Mikhail Gusman. At the meeting, global issues were discussed, including initiatives put forward by Belarus during the 26th summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. One of such initiatives is the organization of a new large-scale international forum – similar to the Helsinki Process. Vitaly Ignatenko highly appreciated the efforts of the Belarusian side and the President of Belarus personally, aimed at strengthening stability and security in the region and in the world.
Also today, Alexander Lukashenko gave a brief interview to the TASS news agency. The President answered questions about the results of the Supreme State Council in Moscow, the development of Belarus-Russia relations in the most important spheres, and prospects and problems of the Union State. The result of the conversation will become a new episode of programme The Power Formula, which is expected to be released in August.
