commentators can also be identified via social networks, but the forum owner will be responsible

As of December 1, commentators of Belarusian websites should be identified: badociate a phone number to your account on the forums. However, the government resolution also states "other data and technical means to identify the identity of the user". Does this mean that you can be identified via social networks? And what are the requirements when registering online publications that will be sent to their editors? Deputy Minister of Information Pavel Light briefed TUT.BY.

– The main method of identifying commentators on the forums offered by the state is SMS identification. But there is a possibility of identification in any other way that the owner of the Internet resource or the chief editor deems appropriate. Including this implies the ability to identify via social networks or by e-mail, – explains Pavel Light.

– But where is the guarantee that the account in social networks is registered with a real person?

– The identification is the responsibility of the owner of the Internet resource or the editor-in-chief. In case of conflict, it is he who will be required to provide the necessary user data upon request. And if these data are not true, then it will have to be explained. In case the online edition uses SMS identification for forums, the owner or the editor declines all responsibility for the accuracy of the data received. That's the way the state said. If another method of identification is chosen, for example the registered user via social networks, if it turned out to be a false account and there is no such person the owner of the Internet resource may then have to terminate the user agreement with the commentator – and the main publisher may receive a warning.

– So, theoretically, it is possible to identify the commentators through social networks, but in practice, it is better not to do it?

– I do not advise, let Internet resource owners and editors make their own decisions. But I repeat: SMS identification will protect against liability because a person misleads it and provides incorrect information. Nevertheless, nobody prohibits it: if you wish, you can login via Facebook or you want to use it via VKontakte. In general, insults or slander, or, for example, dissemination of information discrediting honor and dignity, should be removed when pre-moderating comments. For resources that have this order, problems should not arise. The cause of the procedure may be the call of the citizen, who considered that he had been insulted or that false information about him had been posted on the forum.

– As of 1 December, according to the new Mbad Media Act, network publications can be registered as mbad media. Mininform announced changes in the needs of editors. From now on, only people with five years of experience in a management position in the media can act.

– The requirements for registration of Internet resources will be pretty democratic. The Ministry of Information has proposed the following approach: the editor of a network resource may be a person with advanced training in the field of media and editorial, or work experience in organizations active in publishing or Internet resources for at least three years.

Relatively speaking, the editor of the online publication may be anyone who has worked on the Internet resource for three years. Approximately the same approaches we propose for prints. Now that the resolution of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is in preparation, we expect that it will be adopted in the near future.