Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja: The attempt to restrict the work of sociologists won’t work out

According to the chief analyst of the Center for Social Innovations, punitive measures for unsanctioned public surveys are intended primarily for independent media.

House of Representatives introduced fines for conducting public surveys that concern elections and referendums; Administrative Code was amplified with Article No.9.28.

Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja, sociologist and chief analyst of the Center for Social Innovation in the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service noted that she sees no big danger for the work of the non-state sociological services:

- The thing is that such kinds of surveys were subject to special licensing before, and not so many sociological services had a right to carry out polls on referendums, social and political issues. I.e. I see no considerable changes in this regard. What is important is that there will be sanctions towards those who publish the results of the surveys without special permission. That is why I believe that these measures are aimed primarily at journalists and editors – those, who spread information; thus, they are aimed at limiting the spread of such information.

- Can these innovations be considered a preparation of the authorities for 2015 presidential elections?

- There might be some truth in it, as it is before the elections when authorities introduce some extra measures to lessen the stress, difficulties and problems. But I believe that this restriction is too small a contribution into the structure of the election system and political life and cannot be of great influence. It can be viewed only as a security element, as the information from the independent sociological centers will be spread this way or another. Anyway, we still have Internet, people will still be aware of this information, which means these limitations will make no irresistible hindrances.