«Father did the right thing, now there's more righteousness», «Photos taken out of context». How propaganda justifies turning off street lights

Nesvizh on the morning of February 5. Photo: nesvizh-news.by

After Lukashenka's outrage that streetlights were on for too long, and his demand to switch to a strict economy mode, local authorities rushed to revise schedules. Ordinary residents massively shared their dissatisfaction with the darkness that enveloped the streets, while propaganda, in turn, as usual, assures that everything is fine.

Hryhory Azaronak was the first to speak on this topic. In his evening broadcast on February 4, the propagandist noted:

«Everything is normal in Minsk. All narrow streets are lit. Everything is done wisely, but to save money. Because, excuse me, if we want to live well, beautifully, eat in restaurants…»

«Everything must be approached in an хозяйский (thrifty/masterful) way. Father did absolutely the right thing. (…) Now we are not Las Vegas. And it’s normal, and good. There is more soulfulness now, righteousness. After all, in the evening at home, you need to make love».

Continuing his thought, he lashed out at critics:

«Lights work where people walk. And where it's not so necessary, on highways, elsewhere, then, of course… They lie, scoundrels. Everything is lit. Both outside the city and in the city. (…) They rationalized, made it more economical. Well, why illuminate these main advertisements and everything else at night? Father said absolutely correctly — a masterful approach».

This morning, the publication «Minskaya Prauda» on its website arranged a real «roll call of cities», publishing photo reports from streets where lights are working. According to the authors, on February 4, residents of Valozhyn raised an alarm about possible darkness, but journalists reassured them:

«This morning we went out and checked. No darkness, locals have no difficulty reaching their destination».

In Stoŭbtsy, the situation was described as almost imperceptible for citizens:

«The lights went out shortly before dawn. By this time, children had already reached schools, and adults had arrived at work. So local residents should not notice any significant difference or discomfort, and the electricity savings will be colossal».

Correspondents claim that an exception was made for high-risk zones:

«The only exception is public transport stops. (…) In Zayamnaye (…) a special regime was observed in high-risk zones (pedestrian crossings, schools, hospitals)».

Everything is fine, according to correspondents, in Lahojsk too:

«According to the innovation, streetlights are now turned off, based on the time of sunrise. By the time the lighting was turned off, the streets were not very crowded».

Journalist Aliaksandr Klimavets from Lahojsk stated that the photos of dark streets were taken out of context. He allegedly took them a minute before the lights were turned on. «The exposure was intentionally reduced in photos and videos to show contrast. That's why they came out so dark».

A similar report came from Vileika:

«On the morning of February 5, residents were not left in darkness — lighting on street sections was turned off in stages. On many streets, the lights stopped working when it was already getting light».

The most resourceful journalist turned out to be from Smalyavichy, who found alternative light sources:

«In Smalyavichy on the morning of February 5, the lights were turned off a little earlier, but there is enough light from car headlights, lights above entrances, and snow».

The correspondent from Zhodzina expresses himself more cautiously, admitting that it became «a little darker»:

«Today in Zhodzina, streetlights went out a little earlier than usual. (…) A partial shutdown of lighting is noticeable — it became a little darker almost all along the R-53 highway».

Tatsiana Kanyukh, a journalist for the Minsk region news website Pristalica.by (its founder is the Minsk Regional Executive Committee), in her article «Checked how street lighting worked in Zaslaŭje in the morning» calls Lukashenka's initiative «correct and timely», because «adjusting the time of turning on and off lights in the morning and evening twilight, naturally, brings a tangible effect».

Looking for something positive, she refers to the role of the weather:

«Now it is worth considering that in winter, the situation is greatly alleviated by the snow cover, which reflects light and naturally illuminates the space. This allows for safely reducing the operating time of lighting without serious damage to visibility».

Snow, according to the correspondent from Maladzyechna, also helps illuminate the streets there.

«Falling snow has an excellent property — after street lighting is turned off, it is precisely the snow that makes pedestrians visible and sharply contrasts in the morning twilight with city residents hurrying to work and school».

Павялічыць

Journalists from «Niasvizhskiya Naviny» also assure that in the city after the adjustment, «the necessary level of illumination is maintained». And again they mention snow:

«The fallen snow adds additional brightness to the streets, reflecting light and making the city even more comfortable for residents».

As a result, the Nesvizh district newspaper calls this a well-thought-out strategy:

«Such a comprehensive approach allows for efficient use of resources, maintaining a high standard of the urban environment».

It's strange why propagandists haven't included the Moon and stars in this «comprehensive approach» yet?

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