Opinions & Interviews
Mokhor: Belarusian media must work with their audience and stay true to their principles
GRODNO, 15 May (BelTA) – Amid “white noise” and a policy of bans, Belarusian media must work honestly with their audience and stay faithful to their principles, BelTA Director General Andrei Mokhor said on the sidelines of the 6th edition of Belarus’ Media Community Forum themed “Media Environment Today: Meanings or White Noise” that is running in Grodno, BelTA has learned.
The media landscape has changed dramatically, Andrei Mokhor noted. “In the past, a journalist would receive an assignment and have a clear understanding of the topic. Essentially, the connection between journalist and reader, television journalist and viewer was direct. Television, newspapers, and news agencies were transmitters of information. The development of new technologies has given rise to a great deal of what we call ‘white noise’. This is a flow of information in which the journalist’s essential task, that of speaking the truth and telling people about people, becomes obscured. The consumer entering this information space is often at a loss as to what to choose. This stems from the prevalence of ‘white noise’, information overload, and content generated by artificial intelligence. Content that originates from unverified, unknown, and unreliable sources. How, then, does one locate truthful and necessary information in this sea of noise? The challenge for professional journalists is to understand how to operate effectively under these circumstances,” the BelTA director general said.
He added that in our time, with the emergence of citizen journalism, anyone, whether a schoolchild, a doctor, or a newsstand seller, can pick up a camera and film something, and that will serve as an illustration of real life. Everyone writes to the best of their ability and knowledge, but not every piece of material can be called journalism.
Before the forum began, Andrei Mokhor took part in a meeting of the Editors’ Club. “Holding the Editors’ Club during the media forum is a very good tradition. I won’t reveal all the details, but the topic of discussion was interesting and heated. It concerned recent events. Specifically, just the day before, there were renewed attacks and pressure on the online resources of Belarusian media. I am referring to the YouTube pages of Belarusian radio. This is a continuation of the massive assault on Belarusian media. How are we supposed to work under conditions of sanctions, pressure, and lies? A recent interview with Zelensky’s former press secretary revealed the working methods of Ukrainian media. All of this was discussed, and very interesting opinions were voiced. I am sure audiences will be interested to hear them,” he said.
In the face of a policy of bans, we must do our job, Andrei Mokhor believes. “If we are being banned, it means we are doing our job well. It means our voice matters. We have reached both our audience and our opponents. This has become irritating and inconvenient for them, and they don’t know what to do about it. And when their arguments fail, the policy of bans comes into play,” he noted.
Andrei Mokhor emphasized that Belarusian media have their own audience. They need to work with that audience, stay true to their principles, and tell the truth.
The forum brought together more than 700 participants, including representatives of state-run media and the ideological vertical, bloggers, aspiring journalists, and leading experts in media communications. Participants will discuss the challenges facing modern journalism, priorities for media sector development, information security, and the transformation of media resources. The winners and laureates of the 22nd edition of the National Print Media Contest Zolotaya Litera (Golden Letter) will also be announced at the forum.
The media forum was organized by the Information Ministry and the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee.
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