Official Rejects Criticism of New Version of Media Law

Natallya Petkevich, deputy head of the Presidential Administration, rejected criticism of the proposed new version of Belarus’ Media Law while speaking at Monday’s meeting of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights, National Relations and the Media.

In particular, she denied the bill was designed to restrict freedom of information by this fall’s parliamentary elections. The draft law says that it will come into force only six months after its publication, she noted, adding that “opposition media outlets” would have six months to adapt to the new conditions, which she said would not in fact be new, as the act would only legislatively confirm existing practices.

“Everyone realizes that the [1995] law currently in force is outdated,” Ms. Petkevich said. According to her, the main aim of the bill was to put things to rights in the media sector. “The bill concerns not only the non-state media but also the state press,” she noted. “The bill’s provisions were designed to ensure that the state media improve their quality.”

“We clearly stated the rules under which media outlets will act,” she said. “This will help prevent abuses on the part of registering and other governmental agencies.”

The bill ensures a balance between the responsibility of the media and that of governmental agencies, Ms. Petkevich noted. “It’s impossible to give all liberty to one of the sides,” she said. “The freedom and rights of one side are limited by the freedom and rights of the other.” This balance suggests that there is nothing derogatory and restrictive in the bill, she added.

Ms. Petkevich denied that the bill would toughen penalties against media outlets. “On the contrary, the bill would give media outlets the opportunity to correct their mistakes and operate properly,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has slammed the bill as restricting the constitutional right to disseminate and receive information.

BAJ Chairperson Zhanna Litvina has urged journalists and politicians to prevent the adoption of the bill. According to her, the BAJ will appeal to each member of the national legislature individually to prevent the hasty passage of the bill. “We believe that the bill should first be published in the state media and then broadly discussed,” Ms. Litvina said at a news conference in Minsk on June 12. “The bill should also be sent to international organizations for assessment.”

The House of Representatives is expected to debate the legislation on June 17.