Wont work, if we cant do honest journalism: Belarus media goes on strike over election result and censorship – WION

TheBelarusian media on Monday wenton strike over election result and censorship, saying that would not return to work unless the government implemented five demands, including new elections and the removal of television censorship.

Approximately 300 employees of Belarus One,the national channel supporting the government, have resigned as many at the channel feel they can no longer work for the propaganda machine. It has a total strength of 2000employees.

Also read:Belarus President Lukashenko gives nod to fresh elections

According toKseniya Lutskina, a documentary maker among oneof those who signed,People feel that if we cant do honest journalism, then we wont work.

The problem for a lot of people is that the theres no other television to work at in the country its all state-controlled,'' she added.

Some employees walked out even before the recent elections, feeling suffocated by the atmosphere as Lukashenko jailed his political opponents and looked set to rig the election.

Also see:We come in peace: Belarusian women dressed in white protest against corrupt leadership

Alexander Luchonok, who worked for 18 months as a special correspondent on the twice-weekly current affairs programme Under the Presidents Control, handed in his resignation a week before the election.

Talking about Lukashenko's supporters he said,Even if they dont believe everything in the reports, they think its important to keep Lukashenko in office.

Even as the country was plunged into chaos last week, there were attempts to portray business as usual.

Workers at a state-run factory confronted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko with chants of "Leave!" on Monday as pressure built on the strongman to step down over a disputed election.

Employees at several factories also walked off the job after a historic protest on Sunday brought tens of thousands to the streets.

Pressure has been building on the ex-Soviet nation's longtime leader since the August 9 election, which he claims to have won with 80 percent of the vote.

More than 100,000 people took part in a "March for Freedom" in the capital Minsk on Sunday following calls from main opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for continued demonstrations.

A brutal police crackdown has drawn widespread condemnation and appears to have turned even Lukashenko's support base at state-owned industries against him.

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Wont work, if we cant do honest journalism: Belarus media goes on strike over election result and censorship - WION