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Lukashenko disagrees with reproaches on absence of free speech in Belarus

Leader of Belarus claims electronic era sharply lowers the quality of journalism

MINSK, June 20 (Itar-Tass) - President Alexander Lukashenko has not agreed with reproaches on the absence of the freedom of the speech in Belarus.

“Belarus is often reproached in the absence of the freedom of the speech. Usually hypocritical people talk about it. They understand that there is no absolute freedom in the world,” Lukashenko said at the plenary session of the World Congress of the Russian Press on Thursday.

“It is absurd to talk about it today when the Internet emerges,” he said.

Lukashenko said even in the countries, which were proud of their centuries-long free speech traditions, rows were sparked off sometimes. Among such rows, the president named the facts of rigging information, illicit tapping, invited publications and the manipulation of public opinion from global media corporations.

The new electronic era aggravated the situation. “It gave mankind the unprecedented possibilities to exchange information. But it sharply lowers the quality of journalists and their responsibility,” the president said.

At the same time, Lukashenko said demand on qualitative, clever and reliable information would increase.