Łukašenka awards state journalists Francysk Skaryna Medal

January 9, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has signed an edict awarding the Francysk Skaryna Medal to Uładzimir Matviejeŭ, who heads state-owned news agency BelTA’s service covering the head of state.

The medal was also awarded to Michaił Ravucki, the head of culture news at Belteleradiocompany’s ATN news agency, Hanna Matornaja, the chief director at the national opera, opera singer Dźmitryj Šabiecia, and the national folk orchestra’s singer Andrej Kołasaŭ, a Łukašenka-linked Telegram channel reported.

Łukašenka recognized their “fruitful work, high professionalism, significant personal contribution to the development of national journalism and television, outstanding achievements in the field of theatrical and musical art,” it wrote.

The Belarusian leader also commended several propaganda workers, such as ATN’s Anastasija Bieniedzisiuk and Iłona Krasuckaja. He extended his gratitude to a number of Belteleradiocompany, BelTA, STV and Alfa Radio employees.

According to Łukašenka, all of them have made “a significant personal contribution to the implementation of the state information policy,” are highly professional and engaged in “objective and comprehensive coverage of the country’s socio-political and socio-cultural life.”

Earlier that day, the Minsk City Court began to hear, behind closed doors, a case against managers and journalists of Tut.by, Belarus’ largest independent news organization crushed by the authorities.