Republic

Lukashenko: Belarus, Russia should have an equal say in a prospective media holding

Belarus and Russia should have an equal say in a media holding to be created within the framework of the Union State, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he heard out a report on the state of the country’s information policy on 29 August, BelTA has learned.

“We have recently established very cordial, friendly relations with the Russians, especially those at the top. I think that this will be conducive to creating a solid independent mass media holding on equal terms. This is the main thing. Equal terms should be at the heart of our efforts to build a union. No one should be inferior or subordinate to the other one. A level playing field. Vladimir Putin and I have discussed this topic a lot. I have never heard him say: listen, we are big, you are small, let's do it this way, let's do it that way,” the head of state said.

“Last time I put this question rather harshly. I said: “Well, how long are we going to kick the can down the road? We need to move forward somehow, and first of all, the Russians need to establish an independent holding company.” He said: “I'm all for it. Yes, we do need a holding company, a Telegram channel, we need to have presence online, bloggers.” He is very well versed in this. Better than I am. When he explained it to me, I said: “That's the way it should be going forward.”

At the same time, the president noted that Russian negotiators may have some other interests. “Of course, they do. But we must act within the framework determined by the heads of state,” he said.

“We talk a lot about the creation of a media holding of the Union State. Naturally, this should be aligned with Russia's media policy. And you also know it, you have negotiated with them. You understand that there can be more to it than just economic considerations. Russia is huge, and naturally, it cannot do without mass media. And due to certain circumstances, Russians pay very close attention to the media,” the head of state noted.

As reported by BelTA, a decision to set up a media company of the Union State was made at a meeting of the Supreme State Council in January 2024. The media company is to include a TV channel, print media and a media center for the creation, adaptation and distribution of content in the digital environment. The founder of the media company will be the Council of Ministers of the Union State.