Lukashenka To Journalists: You Are Main Component Of Hybrid Wars

The dictator troubled by the transition to "citizen journalism," when anyone with a phone can spread information.

Lukashenka announced this at the opening of the plenary session of the 19th World Congress of Russian Press, tut.by reports.

Information printed on the newspaper page and in particular information posted in the Internet becomes a weapon that provokes conflicts, Lukashenka stressed. "And we can hardly justify this with ratings," – he added.

The President noted that the wars are not the same as they used to be when "first they shot, then fought hand to hand." Hybrid wars are going on in the world today – economic wars, wars in cyberspace. "There is no artillery preparation before starting a war, but the preparation through the media. You have become the main component of such hybrid wars," – Lukashenka said.

He stressed that the Internet space and social networks should be built according to the laws of morality. And in the name of this very morality and to protect the rights of citizens, the government should erect barriers to the information destroying the individual, the dictator believes.

Lukashenka admitted that the media have a huge impact on the state leaders. At the same time, some media outlets survive due to scandals, which they organize themselves.

The governor noted that a transition to citizen journalism has happened, when any person having a phone and access to the Internet can spread information. "It's not possible anymore to figure out for sure where the truth is and where the fiction is," – he admitted, noting that the media now bears a great responsibility.

"Just stay traditional!" – Lukashenka urged.