Newspapers Can’t Be Called Belarusian and National

In the end of May A. Lukashenka issued a decree by which he ordered to rename and re-register all editions that had the words “Belarusian” and “National” in their names. Belorusskiy Rynok (Belarusian Market) newspaper now is called Belorysy i Rynok (Belarusians and Market). Recently the Ministry of Information has re-registered Belorusskaya Gazeta (Belarusian Newspaper) as Belgazeta.

According to Interfax agency, the fate of Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta (Belarusian Business Newspaper) still remains unknown. One of the variants of the new name is BDG. Bolshaya Delovaya Gazeta (BDG. Large Business Newspaper). The chief editor is not sure whether the newspaper will be re-registered.

At the same time, the Ministry of Justice proposed to Lukashenka to sign an annex to the decree that includes the enumeration of the media that would be allowed to use these words. At present this list is kept in secret.