Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (file photo)
9 September 2005 -- The European Commission said it will fund an independent radio and TV station to broadcast into Belarus.
The European Union has allocated some $2.5 million for the project over the next two years. European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin explained the objective is to give people access to independent information.
"We are talking about a country where human rights are deteriorating, where those who would like to see progress towards democracy have very little hope of that and where the exchange of free information is becoming more and more difficult," she said. "The objective of this project is to give people access to information which is independent."
The stations would broadcast in the Russian and Belarusian languages. Interested broadcasters have until 11 October to submit their bids but the tender is limited to broadcasters or consortiums in EU countries.
(AP)
For all the latest news on Belarus, see "Belarus News and Features"
"We are talking about a country where human rights are deteriorating, where those who would like to see progress towards democracy have very little hope of that and where the exchange of free information is becoming more and more difficult," she said. "The objective of this project is to give people access to information which is independent."
The stations would broadcast in the Russian and Belarusian languages. Interested broadcasters have until 11 October to submit their bids but the tender is limited to broadcasters or consortiums in EU countries.
(AP)
For all the latest news on Belarus, see "Belarus News and Features"