German Journalism Lost in Translation
Here’s another “brilliant” example of ze German journalism, an item from the #1 German news agency dpa:
Belarus to cut off home computer internet access nationwide:
Minsk - Belorussian Ministry of Communications officials on Friday announced new laws effectively banning home access to the Internet.
A policy statement from the national telephone monopolist Beltelekom defining legal internet access limited potential users of the Internet to companies and government organizations and specifically omitted private individuals.
Belorussian internet domain operators not associated with a company or government agency would be cut off and in case of repeated violations could face heavy fines or even jail, the statement said.
The Belorussian internet is in terms of size in its infancy, with some 1,300 domains, almost all non-commercial, and 14,000 users.
The Beltelekom policy if put into effect would nevertheless drastically reduce Belarusian’s access to international media, as Belarus’ state media is heavily biased towards the country’s authoritarian President Aleksander Lukashenko.
Internet aside, the only other source of uncensored information in Belarus is foreign radio broadcasts, which are at times jammed by the Lukashenko regime.
Lukashenko is widely expected to win a third term in office in national elections this March.
His administration and the country’s KGB has cracked down on potential opposition groups in the run-up to the vote, targeting among others Polish ethnic groups and western NGOs.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
For the information of the dpa journalists, they got it totally wrong. Nobody is going to ban home internet access in Belarus.
Here’s what happened actually. In Belarus, most of the people have slow dial-up connections, and fast DSL connections are very expensive (probably for economical, but maybe also for political reasons). Our smart computer “hackers” figured out that they could buy one expensive DSL link, and then create a Local Area Network with their neighbours, thus sharing the bandwidth and the costs.
Ministry of information and Beltelecom learned about those home LAN’s and got a bit upset, but there was no legal basis for persecuting those people. So they finally found a possible legal pretext for doing that. Those LAN’s are typically found in high-storey buildings, connecting people from different floors. In order to connect their computers, those people usually use the common area shafts, the so called “riser pipes” where telephone and other cables are laid. So, the ministry issued a warning to those people saying that they are not allowed to use the shafts in the common area for their own cables.
That’s it. As you can see, the German dpa reported completely false information, exaggerating the problem beyond any measure.
And this in addition to a number of other factual mistakes:
1) The correct English spelling and pronunciation is Belarusan or Belarusian. (”Belorussian” is the obsolete and misleading Soviet adjective form preferred by the Germans)
2) “The Belorussian internet is in terms of size in its infancy, with some 1,300 domains, almost all non-commercial, and 14,000 users”. — FYI, Belarusan internet is as developed as the Internet in many other countries (just one number: 50% of all the internet-related crimes in former USSR has its origins in this small country). The number of regular internet users is at least 15% of the total population, or 1,500,000 people. I wonder how they screwed up the number so badly. Probably, they meant the number of DSL users. But this is totally different.
3) “Belarus’ state media is heavily biased towards the country’s authoritarian President Aleksander Lukashenko.” — It is not biased, it is totally controlled by Lukashenka.
4) “The only other source of uncensored information in Belarus is foreign radio broadcasts, which are at times jammed by the Lukashenko regime.” — (A) There are still several independent newspapers, although they barely survive, being under extreme pressure. (B) President Lukashenka never jammed radio transmissions.
5) “Lukashenko is widely expected to win a third term in office in national elections this March.” — Everybody knows that it will be falsified. That’s what USA, EU, OSCE already said. The correct statement would’ve been “Lukashenka is widely expected to falsify the actual results of the March elections.”
Na ja… Nothing’s new really, just another journalstic story from the White Holland, in addition to many others. (Here’s another recent one — how German journalists covered Milinkevich’s meeting with Angela Merkel).
February 12th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
I wonder why You are writing the name of the Belarusian President like that “LukashenkA”. As far as I know he has always been and is still LukashenkO.
February 12th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Anna: In Russian, it’s LukashenkO. And in Belarusian it’s LukashenkA. And in English both are used. Probably, Russian version is used more often…
See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Lukashenka
February 13th, 2006 at 4:23 am
Bravo! I’m in complete agreement with you on this one! But when I listened to RFE\RL transmissions in Belarus, sometimes it seemed to me they were being jammed. But I guess you know it better.
February 13th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Wow, I totally got the wrong idea then. (Not that I would put it past Lukashenka to try to thwart freedom of access.)
So how does one properly pronounce Belarusan/Belarusian? Yesterday, while watching the Olympics, I heard an American commentator pronounce it “Belo-russian” and I immediately thought of you…though there’s really no surprise that an American sports commentator would be culturally ignorant. (The sport was the 20km biathlon, btw.)
February 14th, 2006 at 3:13 am
Today talked to an EU high-ranker from one of your Hollands. Throughout the dialog, he was saying “Byelorussia,” while I was saying Belarus… Seemed like we talked about two separate countries.
He wished all the best to us and assured of the EU support for our transformations, but at the same time, he said our prospects for accession to the union were very bleak even if we followed all the rules and regulations, amended our laws, and became a democracy… It’s just that the EU’s gotta digest the current new members. The same thing’s about Ukraine.
February 15th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Maybe you could get into Nato before you join the EU?
As for reporters’ ignorance, the Swedish activists who were apprehended in Grodno/Hrodna the other day were reported to have been so by “Russian” security police.
Generally, it seems getting the facts right is less important the smaller the country one reports about.
Tobias Ljungvall
Stockholm
February 16th, 2006 at 6:25 am
Or rather less significant… (?)
February 21st, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Lol.. the use of routers, switches and hubs to split up one internet link accross mutliple computers / homes is a relative common thing globally I think :) Hell, my router even has the ability to do the reverse and use multiple internet links and bond them together via load balancing ^_^ rawr. Some providers here allow it, others refuse it. Rather obvious there’s a state warning about it in Belarus… since there’s pretty much just one telecom company (Beltelecom) Tracking such activity is relatively easy… as the amount of traffic would be far higher than it should be with one user… also overlapping instances of the same applications would occur. To be honest… anyone trying to stop people from doing such activities is fighting a losing battle. Both the equipment as the knowledge on how to set it up is widely available.
>> Endrus
Today talked to an EU high-ranker from one of your Hollands. Throughout the dialog, he was saying “Byelorussia,” while I was saying Belarus… Seemed like we talked about two separate countries.
Well atleast he was trying (using a Russified English version of the word)… most people here continue to call it “white russia”… :(
May 18th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
phentermine
contraction chilled strands peeled championing!phentermine http://phenterminehclhere.blogspot.com/
January 28th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I was stupid enough to use my Social Security number when I was filling out one of the forms online. Now I can’t buy anything on any websites because I don’t want to use my credit card number. I need a new credit card now and I understand that the most convenient way is to apply online but I don’t know whether is safe to use such websites as
Excellent Credit Card
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Thanks for sharing
February 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
March 24th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I would love to have mine at the top of this list. It is called Klok and can be found on my blog at finding a medical transcription job
August 1st, 2008 at 3:17 am
If we focus on these four points and optimize them, then we do not necessarily have to write the rest of the post perfectly. We can’t write the post perfectly — have to take the kids to school, go to work, etc… But optimization of the key points should go a long way in making the post successful, in the sense that people read at least part of it and join in the discussion with comments.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Your site is great and I really appreciate it! I have always enjoyed reading your site.
November 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am
waaaagh
December 20th, 2008 at 8:51 am
you should sell your articles as ebooks, they are very valuable!
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
wholesale jewelry
handmade jewelry
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
good@
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Shoes Wholesale direct from Yiwu
March 4th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Good post.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
wow gold
wow gold
May 12th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
There are still several independent newspapers, although they barely survive, being under extreme pressure.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
+1
July 14th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Спасибо, интерестно было почитать
July 16th, 2009 at 4:00 am
http://www.fantastic-replica.net
July 20th, 2009 at 7:59 am
thanks for share
costume jewelry wholesale
Wholesale fashion Jewelry
925 silver jewelry wholesale
August 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
ti8i p; http://www.fantastic-replica.net
August 17th, 2009 at 7:07 am
How do I reset my password?
Thanks
John Musca
John Musca
August 19th, 2009 at 1:32 am
[…] Club Baby Seals » Blog Archive » Bye bye nowbr23 blog - minsk, belarus » Blog Archive » German Journalism Lost in Translation […]
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Carol Burnett was a very popular television icon throughout Carol Burnett dvd collection life time. Os povos que amam se manter atualiza��o na forma podem somente desejar e desejado desgastar Tiffany. Por este motivo muitos desenhadores introduziram a r�plica Tiffany de modo que um homem comum ordin�rio pudesse igualmente apreciar o sentimento e o estilo da j�ia de Tiffany.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Jackson visited a laboratory fitted with China access floor. He wanted to check the quality of raised access floor. But he didn’t know too much about it. He asked his friend about China bamboo flooring price as he wonder if China bamboo flooring can be installed on China raised floor.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Há uma possibilidade ajustar uma indicação na troca em linha pelo add a link de Web site diferentes através dos mecanismos da parte traseira da ligação.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
replica designer handbags,provide you the best quality,selection and price you can only find in the top specialty stores,Keeping you abreast of the lastest trends and providing the convenience of shopping from home. replica handbags
September 13th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
хаха жжёте я аж возбудилась (;
September 15th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Replica Louis vuitton handbags
designer replica bags
wholesale replica handbags
September 15th, 2009 at 7:15 am
replica designer handbags,provide you the best quality,selection and price you can only find in the top specialty stores,Keeping you abreast of the lastest trends and providing the convenience of shopping from home. replica handbags
September 21st, 2009 at 6:08 am
Qui add a link dei Web site e aggiungete i vostri.
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
ckloo blog
ugg boots
fashion shoes blog
October 8th, 2009 at 3:35 am
De mensen van oudheid gebruikten steenkool en zout om vlekken uit de tanden als [url=http://www.elbosla.com]cosmetic teeth whitening[/url] te verwijderen die product witten.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Create every day new photo effects,sketches, avatars.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Cooper wanted to check access floor price. So he visited some stores. Some sales in the store promoted China bamboo flooring to him and offered him the bamboo flooring price list. But Cooper is only interested in China raised access floor at present.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:57 am
1 Aion Kina
2 Aion Kina
3 [url=http://www.levelmyth.com/aion-kina-kaufen.php]Aion Kina[/url]
4 Aion Kina
5 Aion Kina
6 [link=http://www.levelmyth.com/aion-kina-kaufen.php]Aion Kina[/link]
December 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
According to the survey, brand [url=http://www.latestrolex.com/]cheap luxury watches[/url] - become popular with young people , why they would rather spend higher cost shipping buy a replica watch from oversea , the main reason is brand replica watch is much cheaper than original [url=http://www.latestrolex.com/]cheap luxury watches[/url] - . but most people can’t enjoy the high quality replica watch , because they don’t learn about the real inside information about replica watch ,now we offer the detail information on fake watches .
January 18th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Great post!Would like to know that Louis Vuitton is really synonymous with luxury and style?Also like to know that why we needn’t tell anybody how much we paid for bag?It really sounds so cheap,how it come possible?If it is real then i must follow your thread.Thanks for it.
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Hey, I found your blog while searching on Google your post looks very interesting for me. I will add a backlink and bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!
-Robert Shumake Paul Nicoletti
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:54 am
YS0223L5 when the sun hugs the moon, the sky clses her eyes.when the sun hug the moon the sea quiet her jordans shoes.when the sun hugs the moon,the forest stops her susurrus.when the sun hugs the nike sb dunk high,the desert hodlds her breathe.Thousands of years’s waiting is only for this nike acg shoes moment.Never be disappointed.Never give up.It hax been sucha long time.At nike air max 2003 this momentmeet each other in course of time.Do not cry,Moon.I guard you forever.Cause you are in my life,everyting has its meaning.The fascinating Diamond Ring,is the ring i give you,May it give you warm http://www.nikejordanshoes2sell.com/ threduce your tears.Do not cry,Sun,I will be there with you forever/Meeting you has given me precious memeory.The resplendent Baily Beads.is the gem i give you .May i give you cheap air jordan 22 shoes strength, shine in your morning.Meet soon and part soon.It makes peop;e retrospect in spite of lasting a few minutes.A long times waiting is coming.Don’t know when the next meeting is .When the sun hugs the Moon. the Moon hugs the sun as well Hugging tightly,regian the lost nicety.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:21 am
http://www.wholesalejewelry-cn.com
wholesale jewelry
wholesale fashion jewelry
April 15th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Irritated by his wow gold staring the teenage wow gold girl finally broke down wow gold and sneered, “What’s the wow gold matter
April 20th, 2010 at 7:52 am
I would love to have mine at the top of this list
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:28 am
http://www.timberlandshoesonline.com
timberland boots online
timberland boots
buy timberland boots
mens timberland boots
May 17th, 2010 at 12:13 am
online poker spielen
online poker spielen
May 22nd, 2010 at 7:42 am
http://www.china-jewelry-wholesale.com jewelry wholesale
http://www.china-jewelry-manufacturer.com costume jewelry
http://www.china-jewellery-factory.com fashion jewellery
http://www.smallmoqjewelry.com silver jewelry
http://www.jewelry-store-wholesaler.com cheap jewelry
http://www.commoditywholesalemarkets.com yiwu jewelry
May 24th, 2010 at 1:50 am
Than you need go to last chaos gold
May 30th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
How do you sell diamond jewelry that you bought from a jewelry store but that you no longer want? I have this diamond ring that I want to sell. I don’t want to take it to a pawn shop because they won’t give me what its worth. But I don’t know any other alternatives. Do you think the store that I bought it from will buy it back? Please Help!
June 1st, 2010 at 2:31 am
windows 7 Professional
Wholesale cheap Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 product CD key
Office Professional Plus 2010 X64
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:46 am
A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:47 am
A good conscience is a soft pillow.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:47 am
A good fame is better than a good face.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:48 am
A good husband makes a good wife.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:48 am
A good medicine tastes bitter.
June 8th, 2010 at 4:54 am
The dunk sb
online poker spielen
June 8th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Nike Shox is a very good shoes, I especially like the shoes.
original [url=http://www.latestrolex.com/]cheap luxury watches[/url] - . but most people can’t enjoy the high quality replica watch , because
June 12th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Thanks for sharing the tut with me/us. It was beautifully described. Well done. Looking forward for more tuts from you!
June 18th, 2010 at 3:34 am
I consider its funny how a submit about Andre Bauer brings out all of the Viagra spam. Tee hee! thanks! incredibly helpful submit!! like the template btw
June 21st, 2010 at 4:00 am
When you look for Coach Handbags in Coach Outlet online store, you can find a lot of Coach handbags that you require, including Coach Shoulder Bags,Coach Tote Bags,Coach Claire Bags and all Cheap Coach Handbags. There are a lot of styles, colors, shapes for you to choose on our Coach Outlet store. You will find the lowest prices but the highest quality Coach Bags which will suit your lifestyle and personality very well. As a sophisticated but Cheap Coach Purses, it will stand you out at any night parties.
June 21st, 2010 at 4:02 am
Cheap Coach Handbags are so popular that fashion ladies are constantly knocking off Coach handbags to adorn their bodies. If you are fashion forward, you can also put your nose to elegant Coach Handbags. You can visit our Coach Outlet online store to see if there are fashionable Coach handbags for you. So if you want a elegant and durable Coach handbag at low price, Coach Outlet is your best choice to get Cheap Coach Bags.
June 21st, 2010 at 4:03 am
How much do you love Hip-Hop culture and sports? When it comes to flaunting some of the best possessions, a lot of people favourite are nike dunk shoes as they look super cool and youthful. They’re practical and look handsome, in a traditional lace-up style to help your feel more independent and comfortable. Come our nike dunks online store and we assure that you can get the high top nike dunks at a low price!
June 25th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Thank you for share with us.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Back links can be a important aspect and help out in off site search engine optimisation. Have you ever detected high pr links cause a reverse consequence to search engine rankings? And do you know if there is a technique to discover when Google Adwords is better than natural SEO? I personally am part of dozens websites and as a matter of fact manage a link building company. Still, I at times find it useful to use Google PPC compared to building links.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Thank you for share with us,www.watches-user.com/guess-watches-guess-mens-watches-c-347_349.html" rel="nofollow">guess
men’s watches,www.chanelbags1.com/chanel-handbags-c-4.html" rel="nofollow">wholesale chanel,d&g ladies watches,breitling,it’s good.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Great!This article is creative，there are a lot of new idea，it gives me inspiration.I think I will also inspired by you and think about more new ideaYour blog article is very intersting and fanstic,at the same time the blog theme is unique and perfect,great job.To your success.Ugg Boots cheap ugg boots