Independent newspaper summoned to court at vertical of power’s suit
The editorial office of the independent newspaper “Borisovskiye novosti” has received a summons to the court from the editor-in-chief of a local newspaper “Edinstvo”, which founder is Barysau regional executive committee.
The editor-in-chief of “Edinstvo” Vera Pratasevich found that the article “Pre-election concoction, or another lie” published in “Borisovskiye novosti”, her honour and dignity were injured, the press-service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists informs.
In her statement of claim Vera Pratasevich demands to collect 10 million rubles from the author of the article Ihar Lednik, and 20 million rubles from the unitary enterprise “Bukas-media”.
The first meeting in the court was scheduled for November 3 at 11 a.m. As the Belarusian Association of Journalists was explained by the founder and editor-in-chief of “Borisovskiye novosti” Anatol Bukas, the article Pre-election concoction, or another lie” appeared as an answer to an article in “Edinstvo” which was called “Scenario with money injections, or what for grants are spent”.
The article under this speaking title was signed by Vera Pratasevich. In the article it was said: “I think it is clear for everyone for what achievements and services this money [grants] is given to “free” mass media, but I ask a question, how decent is it to speak about “independence” and complete self-sufficiency of these newspapers?”
The name of Anatol Bukas is not mentioned in the article, but it becomes clear that he is meant: “the editor of the local independent newspaper”.
“In 2004 in the run-up to the elections “Edinstvo” published the platform of the candidate Anatol Bukas on a two-page opening, and an article “Obliko morale” (“Moral portrait”). It was telling about the editor-in-chief Anatol Bukas who was lining pockets. I didn’t sue them then,” Anatol Bukas said.
By the way, the personality of A. Bukas and “Borisovskiye novosti” do not lack attention of the state-run regional newspaper. Only this year “Edinstvo” published articles “What independent press depends on”, “Address to the leadership of newspaper”, “Where is devil, or Another "F"?” All of them concerned the independent newspaper, which has been working at the local media market for 16 years.
