The vast majority of the audience of Belarus's independent media does not support the war
Nine out of ten readers of independent Belarusian media oppose Russia’s war and aggression. At the same time, the work of newsrooms in the country is hampered by repression and the systematic marginalization of independent media.
This was stated by Nadiya Bilokhvostik, editor-in-chief of the Belarusian analytical project MediaIQ, during a panel discussion at the 5th Belarusian-Ukrainian Ostrog Forum.
“We’re talking specifically about our loyal audience, which is with us every day: 92% do not support the war or the aggression. It is essential for us that people in Ukraine know this,” said Bilokhvostik.
According to her, by February 2022, virtually the entire sector of independent Belarusian media was already outside the country. This includes more than 35 newsrooms and about 700–800 journalists. Only a few independent journalists remain in Belarus, working underground.
Bilokhvostik noted that Ukraine—specifically Kyiv—was the first country to which many Belarusian news organizations moved after the start of the full-scale invasion. Later, due to security risks, a significant portion of the media relocated to Poland and Lithuania.
The editor-in-chief of MediaIQ noted that independent Belarusian media today face two levels of repression from the Lukashenko regime. First, publications may be labeled “extremist materials,” which exposes readers and commenters to the risk of administrative liability. The next level involves designating the editorial office as an “extremist organization,” which carries criminal liability.
At the same time, despite the risks, independent media maintain a significant audience in Belarus. According to Bilokhvostik, their total audience numbers about 1.5 million people who receive information via YouTube, Instagram, websites, and other platforms.
She emphasized that due to the repression, news organizations cannot operate fully within Belarus and are often unable to send their own correspondents there or conduct interviews with local experts.
“For someone in Belarus, giving an interview to an independent media outlet can immediately be interpreted as collaborating with an extremist group. We already have public figures who have served five-year prison terms specifically for giving interviews. And there are those who are still in prison,” Bilokhvostik said.
At the same time, she said, the Belarusian audience continues to interact with independent media outlets, particularly through special Telegram chats, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
As a reminder, on the evening of September 18, Russian terrorists struck Sumy with KAB bombs. One bomb hit a residential high-rise building. People may be trapped under the rubble.
On the evening of Friday, September 18, Russian occupiers attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles.
On September 18, Russian troops attacked the Kremenchuk district in the Poltava region. Two people were injured in the strike and were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
