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.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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