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Andrzej Poczobut: Discussion of economics on the Internet may lead to new Square

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Andrzej Poczobut: Discussion of economics on the Internet may lead to new Square

Difficult situation in the country will encourage more people to seek answers on independent sites.

Journalist Andrzej Poczobut, Gazeta Wyborcza, explained charter97.org the reasons why Lukashenka wants to control the Internet and what role Western officials play in introduction of such laws.

- It is obvious that the government drew conclusions from previous locks, as soon as it turned out that Internet anonymous sites could easily bypass a lock. Remember the last lock: it lasted quite long and website editors told about an extreme decline in traffic, but then it resumed its normal course. Perhaps, due to locks some sites had even more visitors.

People quickly learn how to use proxies, anonymizers and the Tor (anonymity network), and the government noticed that. Therefore, the last decision aims to create some legal reasons to block a final opportunity to surf independent websites. The Internet has become the main worry for the government, and it's not the secret, as authorities strive to control everything. But now they still fail to completely control the Internet", he says.

— Ironically, such a decision is adopted during a visit of European officials to Belarus...

- Sense of Lukashenka's policy towards the West remains the same. He wants the West took him as he is. There are examples: look at Azerbaijan and Ilham Aliyev's dictatorship. There's a tough dictatorship, hundreds of political prisoners, but at the same time the dictator is met with, negotiated and supported by the West. Definitely, Lukashenka wants the same. Given the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's role in it - it has extremely changed accents throughout the region - indeed, there is a chance that Lukashenka will be a success to "defreeze" relations with the West. He has all chances for it.

In fact, if earlier the EU paid a close attention on human rights, now the issues of democracy, freedom and human rights in Belarus are not on the first place for the European Union. Current visits and meetings prove the situation. I think this tendency will continue.

— Whether the fact of blocking sites can raise additional interest in them by the Belarusians?

The experience shows when there are any events in Belarus people start to be more interested in political news and look for independent information. When something like presidential elections happens, people, definitely, activize their 'Internet interest'. In particular, they are interested in an alternative point of view, which differs from the one that is presented on TV screens.

There is a difficult economic situation in the country, moreover, there is a war in Ukraine, and decline in oil prices also affects many countries including Belarus. Elections are about to be held, and we observe the situation is going to be worse, but not better. Lukashenka has always been reinsured and taken lots of reprisals. His intention to block the Internet is a preparation for some events, which may either occur or not.

The government recognizes the situation difficult and any attempts to express dissatisfaction by economic means may lead to political protests. We can't predict the situation. So I do not think that the block will directly cause additional wave of interest in independent press, but in growing economic crisis people will start seeking for an explanation of what's really going on. After all, as soon as the devaluation happened all independent websites were immediately blocked. But it did not become an obstacle for users.

How much the Belarusian government is ready to pay for "great Belarusian firewall"? After all, it is quite expensive. How serious is the government ready to be engaged in control, and how strong will be the block? We do not know it. Definitely, there is always a chance to bypass any blockage.

It should be reminded that on December 20, Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed a new law of the Republic of Belarus "On Mass Media". The document says that all websites in Belarus are equaled to the media and may be blocked for a violation. The draft law was introduced by the Council of Ministers of Belarus and urgently approved by the "Parliament". The amendments were not submitted for public discussion.

Since December 19 a number of independent sites, including charter97.org, have been blocked in Belarus.

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