OSCE Office in Minsk calls documentary shown by Belarusian state broadcaster "slanderous"

MINSK, 13 May 2004 - The Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk, Ambassador Eberhard Heyken, criticized a TV documentary recently shown on Belarusian state television as an "open slander of key opposition politicians".

The 40-minute documentary, shown on 11 May, linked prominent opposition figures to images of civil unrest and fascism during World War II.

"I consider this as inappropriate political programming, which clearly falls below the standards of free and unbiased representation of political pluralism," said Ambassador Heyken. "During the programme, the competence, credibility, honour and sanity of key figures was openly cast into doubt.

"The OSCE Office interprets the content of this programme as a clear attempt to undermine the political opposition in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections," he added. "We urge the State TV and Radio Company of Belarus to adhere to professional standards of journalism in the representation of political pluralism."

The OSCE Office in Minsk encourages the State TV and Radio Company of Belarus to give the right to reply to those featured in the programme.