Lazavik justifies Zimouski for threatening newspapers' editors
The CEC Secretary Mikalaj Lazavik sees no violations in the actions of BT, which let the candidates call people to the Square on December 19. Previously, the official gave a comment to Euroradio, in which he justified the newspapers' editors for not publishing the same appeals. According to him, the Ministry of Information can punish the editors for such publications. Euroradio has asked the official whether the head of the Belteleradiocompany Aliaksandr Zimouski will be punished. He replied in the negative.
Lazavik: "When Zimouski provides air time to a candidate he has no idea what this candidate will speak about. Thus, in this case he faces the fact which has already taken place. As for newspapers' editors, they can prevent such facts of appeals to break the law".
ERB: "However, the second speech of Kastusyou was recorded and he mentioned December 19 in it. The recording could have been censored a bit, coundn't it?"
Lazavik: "The editor has no right to censor recordings, Kastusyou was supposed to do it himself. Or maybe it was Zimouski's mistake".
To the opinion of the Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, a lawyer Andrej Bastunets, Lazavik has no grounds to refer to the "Law on Mass Media" in this case. According to him, such documents as presidential candidates' programs should be published uncensored and the editors have to right to make any amendments.
Lazavik: "When Zimouski provides air time to a candidate he has no idea what this candidate will speak about. Thus, in this case he faces the fact which has already taken place. As for newspapers' editors, they can prevent such facts of appeals to break the law".
ERB: "However, the second speech of Kastusyou was recorded and he mentioned December 19 in it. The recording could have been censored a bit, coundn't it?"
Lazavik: "The editor has no right to censor recordings, Kastusyou was supposed to do it himself. Or maybe it was Zimouski's mistake".
To the opinion of the Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, a lawyer Andrej Bastunets, Lazavik has no grounds to refer to the "Law on Mass Media" in this case. According to him, such documents as presidential candidates' programs should be published uncensored and the editors have to right to make any amendments.
