2006 press releases

Embassy Response to Recent State Media Allegations and Accusations (February 14, 2006)

The Embassy of the United States of America is deeply concerned about recent articles and broadcasts from state media outlets in which false statements and conclusions have been made about the United States Government. The most egregious example of this disinformation campaign to date was the February 7 Belarusian Television (BT) broadcast of the "Agent 590" series. The program preposterously asserts that the United States Government is financing the efforts of sovereign countries to orchestrate scandals in Belarus, with a goal of discrediting the country in the international community. Based on the sharp rise of negative and inaccurate information disseminated in state media over the past few months, one can plainly see the attempt by the Government of Belarus to misrepresent and discredit both the United States of America and our diplomatic mission in Minsk.

The Embassy reaffirms that all diplomatic activities are carried out in a transparent and open manner and in a way that is entirely consistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Government of Belarus is informed on a regular basis regarding the Embassy's programs and activities.

It is unfortunate that the Government of Belarus chooses to maintain a virtual monopoly on delivering information to the Belarusian people, through media outlets that are controlled and funded by the government and by placing insurmountable administrative hurdles on the ever-dwindling supply of objective media. The Embassy would like to underscore that a vibrant and independent press is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy and a functioning free market and urges the Government of Belarus to allow independent, objective information to flow freely to the Belarusian people.