A German-Swiss group that campaigns for human rights in Belarus called Wednesday for Western companies to stop buying airtime for advertising on the authoritarian country's state broadcasters.
Libereco said major consumer goods companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Mars were among the top advertisers on Belarusian state TV, according to a week-long analysis of primetime ads last month.
"Western companies must immediately end their financial support for dictator Alexander Lukashenko's propaganda TV," the group said.
Contacted for comment by The Associated Press, Swiss food and drinks giant Nestle said that "as a matter of principle, we do not position ourselves along 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 that after a regular review "we have already significantly reduced our advertising budget for Belarus."
Sandoz, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, said it complies with "all relevant national and international regulations and requirements."
"We continue to carefully monitor developments in the country and to evaluate the situation accordingly," the company said in a statement.
6 recipients named for Life Achievement Awards from Society of Camera Operators
The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) has announced the recipients of the upcoming Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Awards. Recipients will be presented and honored during the SOC Awards on February 15, 2025, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
SOC president Matthew Moriarty shared, “This year’s honorees represent an exceptional level of skill, dedication, and artistry. From broadcast to film, unscripted television to still photography, these individuals have made significant contributions to their craft and helped shape the stories that captivate audiences. We are proud to recognize their talent and celebrate their careers.”
The Lifetime Achievement Awards are given in recognition of outstanding achievement by an established person within the field of film and video production. The honorees of the Lifetime Achievement Awards were nominated in six categories including: Camera Operator Film and Television, Camera Operator Broadcast & Live, Camera Technician, Mobile Platform Camera Operator, Still Photographer, and (new) Camera Operator Unscripted.
The recipients are:
--Still Photographer – Zade Rosenthal
--Camera Operator Film & Television – Bonnie Blake, SOC
--Mobile Camera Platform Operator – Tim Christie
--Camera Technician – Jamie Felz
--Camera Operator Broadcast & Live – Larry Heider
--Camera Operator Unscripted – John Armstrong
Submissions are now open for the Camera Operator of the Year Award, which honors operators in Feature Film and Television, with a deadline of December 31, 2024. Final nominees will be selected by SOC voting members, with winners announced at the awards ceremony in February. The Technical Achievement Award, recognizing innovative... Read More