Self-declared Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced plans to establish his direct control over the Belarusian information space. Lukashenko said his administration should control major Belarusian media outlets to defend Belarus’ “information sovereignty” and that Belarusian authorities should wage a “more persistent” internet information campaign on Oct. 9. Lukashenko likely seeks to consolidate control over the Belarusian information space to degrade protester will. Lukashenko likely additionally seeks to regain control of the Belarusian information space from the Kremlin as part of his ongoing efforts to resist Russian integration pressure.
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George Barros: Lukashenko begins campaign for ‘information sovereignty’
A woman carries a former white-red-white flag of Belarus with the image of Kastus Kalinousky, famous Belarusian revolutionary of the 19th century, while Belarusian pensioners protest against police violence during rallies of opposition supporters and the Belarus presidential election results in Minsk on Oct. 5, 2020.