Main Lukashenka’s ideologist about Charter’97 website and Belarusian Internet
- 30.07.2008, 12:08
Deputy head of presidential administration on ideology Usevalad Yancheuski told what www.charter97.org and other independent resources would face after the new Law on Media would come into force.
Here is a part of an interview of Lukashenka’s main ideologist published in BelGazeta:
– Your main thesis that “the Internet in Belarus will remain free,” is rather surprising against the background of, for example, local computer networks cancelling. Everyone has already made up his mind to the thought that the network will be closed down.
– I said absolutely clearly and unambiguously in order no one has a ground to speculate over this issue – allegedly the authorities are preparing something for us. No one prepares anything! It’s possible to keep people in suspense all the time. Rumours are always appearing: “beware, they will close down and shut off something tomorrow.” People begin to worry and fear of the authorities – what have they think up? That is why I was honmest and sincere: “the Internt in Belarsu was, is and will be free.” Those who don’t believe may wait. But the authorities are not going to attaqck the Internet tomorrow, or in a week, or in a year or two.
– The level of liberty in the Bynet is determined not by portals and sites in the .by zone but by those beyond: Cahrter’97, Belorusski Partizan, website of RFE/RL Belarusian service. What can they expect? Will filters be installed to block them? Is it purposeful?
– No filters! No blocking! Who needs it? For what purpose? They have been existing for many years and who takes care for them! They have regular hysterics – we will be blocked soon! But when you can visit them on the Internet. It has been happening for many years. Charter’97 lives well. They are writing the same for 10 years – the regime will soon collapsed, wait just a moment. It’s bore to read them. When will they change the record? They probably will write the same things till retirement. Nobody will fight with them. Let them write. Only I and a small group of people, interested in politics, read them. You know who read Charter or Belorusski Partizan. Zealous oppositionists and officials to learn new gossips. Their audience is just tenths of a per cent of our population. They wait to ne closed down. In vain.
– In your view, what is the future of Bynet? When will it be real competitor to TV, newspapers and magazines?
– Soon. What concerns news, the Internet is ahead of TV and press all over the world. It is true. News here is the most operative and various. News is just the first portent. Bu tin Belarus, TV is an absolute leader. However, the Internet is growing in strength. The situation may radically change in 3 or 4 years. Moreover, the Internet is absolutely unpredictable. It is a source of new tendencies.
Who could predict that blogs would become so popular and would turn into a new media means in fact? Who could foresee a surprising success of social networks? The Network has great and dark future. It will change the world. The question is whether it wil turn it one its head, or on its legs. The Internet has already changed the mankind. It won’t stop. Until everyone will feel it. Soon it will become clear to everyone.