TVP executive speaks at Belarusian rally to assuage concerns about Belsat reorganization
August 9, Pozirk. Belarusian activists staged a rally in downtown Warsaw yesterday to express concern about the planned reorganization of Belsat, a Belarusian-language satellite television station affiliated with Poland’s TVP.
One of the speakers, TVP World Director Michał Broniatowski, reassured the rally participants that the reform will not be as devastating as feared.
Belsat will share a frequency with the Ukrainian and Russian services, and its airtime will be reduced from 12 to eight hours a day, Broniatowski told Pozirk, noting that TVP plans to merge all language services into one department.
Broniatowski, who is expected to head the World Programs Center (Ośrodek programów dla Zagranicy), spoke with Pozirk after the protest.
He denied claims by speakers that Belarusian airtime might be slashed by more than 60 percent.
Zianon Paźniak, a conservative opposition leader, said he feared that the reorganization will eliminate Belarusian independent television.
He initiated an appeal to the Polish government demanding that TVP keep Belsat as an independent unit.
“It is absolutely unfair to say that Belsat will not be independent,” Broniatowski argued.
“Belsat‘s entire editorial staff will be Belarusian. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not tell them what topics to cover or not to cover, at least, as long as I am in charge.”
Broniatowski told the rally that Belsat‘s current staff will retain their jobs after the reorganization.
Taking part in the rally were Alina Koŭšyk, the United Transitional Cabinet’s culture chief; Belsat‘s former Director Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy; and Viačasłaŭ Siŭčyk of the Razam solidarity movement.
Reports of Belsat‘s imminent merger with the World Programs Center have been circulating since July 4.
It will be put under one umbrella with the Russian channel Vot Tak and the Ukrainian service.
TVP World is expected to launch the center on March 1.
“I would like to stress that Belsat is not disappearing, it is gaining new opportunities,” Broniatowski said earlier.
“Each television channel in the group will operate with its logo, budget and autonomy.”
Also read: BAJ, Press Club Belarus call Polish leaders to save Belsat
- SocietyInternational fund raises nearly €1.3 million for Belarus’ political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoE platform calls on Georgia to reconsider entry ban for Belarusian journalistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsArrests in Hłybokaje, StolinThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical prisoner Załatar released – ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician grateful to EP for resolution on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs urge EU to step up sanctions on MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Łukašenka meets with Donetsk separatist leader
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Minsk has “own standards” for presidential electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel slides against US dollar, yuan at BCSE
- Politics
Cichanoŭskaja nominates new social security chief
- Politics
Opposition leader: white-red-white flag to fly over Belarus again
- PoliticsReprisals: teachers in focus over links to blacklisted education projectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs discuss resolution on Belarus' political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLatvian national Asars arrested for drug smuggling – customs committeeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights defenders label 7 as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNames of all 37 recently pardoned prisoners knownThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁatuška receives solidarity prize in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Yandex Music takes down Tor Band songs
- PoliticsLatvia contacts Belarusian authorities regarding missing citizenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNames of 27 political prisoners pardoned on September 16The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEuropean Court of Justice upholds sanctions against Biełaruśkalij and BPCThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights group reports arrests of teachers across BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityCSTO poses threat to Armenia - PashinyanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel down against US dollar, euro, yuan at BCSE
- PoliticsWomen's Foundation branded “extremist" groupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSupreme Court upholds prison sentence for exiled rights defender SudalenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Former journalist Tołčyn pardoned, released
- PoliticsReprisals: another group convicted over 2020 protests in BrestThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyŁukašenka bans trading crypto outside Belarusian exchangesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
Rights activist receives Free Media Award for imprisoned journalist Ščyrakova