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The responsibility of politicians and journalists for the public word has grown considerably, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the opening of the plenary meeting of the 19th World Congress of Russian Press in Minsk on 12 July.

“Of course, those vested with the authority to make decisions in the name of and for the benefit of people are fully integrated in the information flows. Words have an immense influence on us, country leaders. In this context, the responsibility of both politicians and journalists for the public word has grown considerably,” Lukashenko said, BelTA reported.

“It is obvious that today not everything depends on politicians, heads of state. Mass media do not just cover events. Mass media have always been called the fourth power. However, considering the influence they have on the society, we can talk about a more significant role today,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that the media write the history of present days, give an overview of events and developments, and create a picture of the world. “This is why professionalism and civic responsibility of members of the media are of immense importance. Of course, the readers want sensations. Newspapers, TV channels, internet publications, especially today, survive to a great extent thanks to scandals frequently produced by themselves. Meanwhile, such an approach can eventually cost them a lot,” the head of state said.

“Some say that these are particularities of the job. However, I can hardly agree with that. Today, in the context of the complex socio-political and socio-economic transformations, when the moral standards get broken, the society will not survive if the moral and ethical laws are not restored. The state will also have a difficult time if its foundation loses such elements as integrity, responsible attitude, and simple decency. I think we all should understand this,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader said that politicians, public figures, government officials, and journalists are equally responsible for their choices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s message was read out at the Congress. In his message, the Russian President head of state said these traditional meetings are one of the major events in Russian-speaking media space.

President Putin brought up media’s potential for enlightenment, solidarity, education. “Of course, you have a good understanding of the enormous educational and consolidating potential of the media, their special responsibility for fair and impartial coverage of the events around the planet.” .

President of the World Association of Russian Press, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Vitaly Ignatenko said the Congress is held in Belarus for the second time. “This is indicative of great attention the country pays to Russian language,” said Vitaly Ignatenko.

The event has brought together participants from 52 countries, including 238 representatives of 213 media outlets.

The list of participants also includes government officials and public figures of Belarus and Russia, heads and representatives of international organizations, diplomats, MPs, businessmen, political analysts, and media experts.

The first World Congress of Russian Press was held in Moscow and Sochi in June 1999. The forum adopted a decision to establish the World Association of Russian Press, an open international non-governmental association of print and digital media, news agencies, publishing houses, television channels, and radio programs.

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