Polish Foreign Minister Told About “Ineffective” Radio Broadcasts to Belarus

A group of Belarusian opposition politicians has told the Polish foreign minister that Polish-funded radio stations broadcasting to Belarus have failed to make an impact.

As Dzmitry Dashkevich, a leader of the Malady Front opposition youth group, told BelaPAN, the politicians describe the radio broadcasts as not effective in their letter to the Polish minister.

He noted that Radio Racyja and European Radio for Belarus, both stations based in Poland, have failed to draw a big audience in Belarus. “When one is headed for Warsaw, the audibility of these stations is above praise, but when one is traveling to Belarus, they cannot be heard. That’s why we believe that these stations are not coping with their task,” Mr. Dashkevich said.

The Belarusian politicians suggest that a network of FM transmitters should be created along the Belarusian border to improve the stations’ broadcasts and a special council should be formed to supervise the broadcasts.

In addition, they want figures well-known in Belarus with much experience in the sphere to take over as the stations’ chief editors and program directors.

“These media must become more effective,” Mr. Dashkevich said. “They broadcast ‘into space’ and no one pays attention to this.”

He refused to name the politicians who signed the letter. “We will release all details after receiving a reply from Poland,” he said.