26 August 2020, 13:21 | Denis Martinovich, TUT.BY
Source: TUT.BY
Oleg Mikhalevich, Radio “Stalitsa” Director, took back his work book. He supported his team, which resigned in protest. Oleg told TUT.BY about the reasons why he left.
The journalist started work in radio during his first year of journalism. He headed “Stalitsa” for 11 years.
Most of the team quit, about 11-12 people. A few people stayed: someone’s on vacation, someone’s on maternity leave.
How did Oleg Mikhalevich make such a decision?
My colleagues and hosts approached me following the horrific events that took place on the night of 9 to 10 August. They wanted to address our listeners and condemn violence against peaceful demonstrators. We did not call for any kind of strike, at first we just wanted to make an appeal.
Oleg Mikhalevich supported this idea and contacted the management.
We were promised that our appeal would be shown to the head of Belarusian Television and Radio Company, Ivan Eismont. Then, they called and said that Ivan wants to meet with the team of the entire House of Radio (and not just “Stalitsa”). On that day, 14 August, when the appointment was made, some people went on their shift at 5 a.m. and stayed all the way until 7 p.m. People waited until the last moment, but, unfortunately, no one showed up. They said the chairman was busy.
All entertainment shows were canceled on Monday, 17 August. The hosts did not go on air.
I knew exactly how they felt, everyone was depressed. Many of their friends and people they know were detained. They spent nights by the detention center on Akrescina Street because they could not find them. When you know there are injured people, it is very difficult to work on the air and entertain people. And “Stalitsa” is a music and information station. We used to have a lot of entertainment shows.
Your colleagues stated that on Tuesday evening, 18 August, the management proposed to continue working, without reporting political news.
My guys wanted to cover the position of both sides. Both the official and the alternative.
Did the management want to keep the news out? Or to report only the official position?
It’s hard to tell. I can’t speak for management.
What are your plans for the future?
First, I need some time to recover. I read it all, saw the photographs. I feel sorry for everyone: the injured and the victims on both sides. But to do this… (Pause.) It’s very hard for me to speak now. And then I want to work. In general, I really wanted to continue working for “Stalitsa”. We have a very good team. Everyone was eager to work. When I received my work book yesterday, I saw that it was all covered with commendations, and full of honorary certificates records. I even had to make an insert because there was no space left. As for the fate of “Stalitsa”, we will not give up, we will look for some options. Maybe not on air. We will come up with something. This is also what our listeners want. They keep on writing and supporting us.
Now the radio is playing a playlist, which, at the request of the House of Radio, was prepared by the employees themselves before they left.
