On April 29, Grodno / Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA /. Journalists must involve Belarusians in discussing issues relevant to the country, Minister of Information Oleg Proleskovsky stated today at a seminar for heads of republican media, a BELTA correspondent reports. "The media face a high goal - to mobilize and consolidate society, to communicate the problems that Belarus is facing, and at the same time not to cause panic, not to plunge people into depression, despair, but on the contrary - to charge them for selfless, strenuous and effective work for the future of the country," the minister said. According to Oleg Proleskovsky, journalists should not just inform about certain events, but involve citizens in discussing topical issues of Belarus's development, and form public opinion in line with state interests. "The fundamental principle in the work of state media should be respectful attitude towards the audience of our print and electronic publications, and Internet resources," he stressed, noting that people need an honest and open conversation, a clear understanding of prospects, and an frank discussion of problems. Problems should not be hidden, the head of the ministry added. In Oleg Proleskovsky's opinion, journalists should also build clear and professional work with experts. Such work helps to clarify the situation. "We are capable of conducting such work," he said. The minister drew attention to the fact that in the next two years, the key tasks in the field of electronic media are to increase the volume of own-produced television content and to qualitatively expand the presence of state media on the Internet. Oleg Proleskovsky also noted that "it is unacceptable to administratively force people to subscribe to newspapers and magazines." The minister also noted the problems faced by print media and printing houses due to the rising cost of paper and printing materials. "We will solve this problem, we are aware of it," he said. "On behalf of the Administration of the President, we are preparing proposals to ensure the uninterrupted production of state media." The minister added that "Mininform will assist state mass media materially, financially, and with personnel." "But the result of your work, including financial results, depends on you - on your knowledge, enterprise, and competent management decisions. And the demands on you, as on any other manager, will be the strictest," Oleg Proleskovsky summarized. -0-

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