Berlin: The German-Swiss group campaigned for human rights in Belarus named Wednesday for Western companies to stop buying airtime to advertise in authoritarian state broadcasters.
Libereco said the main consumer goods companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Mars were one of the main advertisers in Belarus State TV, according to the old analysis of Primetime advertising last month.
“Western companies must immediately end their financial support for Dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s TV propaganda,” said the group.
Contacted for comments by the Associated Press, Swiss Food and Drinks Giant Nestle said that “as a matter of principle, we do not position ourselves along the political lines in the countries where we operate, and we comply with all applicable laws and sanctions.” In a statement, the company said advertising was an important way to reach consumers but after regular reviews “we have significantly reduced our advertising budget for Belarus.” Sandoz, a subsidiary of Swiss Pharmaceutical Company Novartis, said it adhere to “all regulations and relevant national and international requirements.” “We continue to monitor developments in this country and to evaluate the appropriate situation,” the company said in a statement.