Poland’s MFA: We Will Continue Supporting Independent Media In Belarus

Freedom of word and political pluralism remain the best way for development of the Belarusian society.

Poland will continue “support of the independent media and democratic efforts in Belarus,” – Spokesperson for Poland’s MFA Joanna Wajda has said.

“We believe that freedom of word, freedom of statement, tolerance and political pluralism remain the best way for the development of the Belarusian society,” —Rzeczpospolita quotes Joanna Wajda (translated by naviny.by).

Commenting the “Belsat” situation, she has noted that they planned not the liquidation, but the reformatting and modernization of the TV-channel. According to the Spokesperson for the foreign policy institution, “Belsat” could have become a part of the “TVP Zagranica” TV-channel.

Wajda has pointed out that in 2007-2015 220 million zlotych ($52,1 million) were spent on the activity of “Belsat”. Most of this money was provided by Poland’s budget. “We do not plan the liquidation, but rather the limitation of financing for “Belsat”, as there is a need to implement other programs of higher priority,” — Wajda has said. She has also underlined that the final decision regarding the future of “Belsat” has not been taken yet.

“Belsat” Director Agniezska Romaszewska informed that Poland’s MFA cut the financing for “Belsat” by two thirds, and probably change the language of broadcasting for Russian, to the Polish media outlet wPolityce on December 15. The news steered a great public resonance in Belarus. Poland’s MFA claimed the decision on financing of “Belsat” had not been taken then.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski stated, also in an interview to wPolityce, that he planned to merge all foreign editors’ offices of the TVP Polonia into one. The Minister assured that the Belarusian editor’s office of “Belsat” would not be closed, and its Director Agnieszka Romaszewska “was offered a high-ranked job in TVP Polonia”. “The journalists of the Belarusian service of “Belsat” will have an opportunity of working further on. They can continue their work on the portal, and prepare materials for TVP Polonia,” — Waszczykowski said.

The satellite TV-channel "Belsat" has been broadcasting in Belarus since 10 December 2007. It was created as a subdivision of the Polish TV, the editor’s office of "Belsat" is located in Warsaw.