{"id":117734,"date":"2024-12-11T14:15:28","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T11:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/117734\/"},"modified":"2024-12-11T14:15:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T11:15:30","slug":"survey-exiled-belarusian-media-resilient-but-financially-strained","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/117734\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey: exiled Belarusian media resilient but financially strained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belarusian journalism is going through a tumultuous period. Independent media, which were highly influential until 2020, have been crushed by the authorities and are now operating in exile, facing increasing challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ministry of Information reported on December 1 that of the 1,143 media outlets registered in Belarus, 601 are non-state media. However, private ownership does not necessarily imply taking a political stand and often entails self-censorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the independent media sector is shrinking rapidly. In September 2020, Belarus had 1,927 media outlets, 40.1 percent more than today, including 1,285 non-state periodicals. That number has dropped by 53.2 percent in just four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government has declared independent media outlets to be \u201cextremist,\u201d making it impossible for many journalists to continue working in the country. Journalists have been arrested and prosecuted, with at least 36 still behind bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals who comment on or contribute content to independent media also face criminal charges. Subscribing to such outlets can result in up to 15 days in jail and dismissal from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) reports that between 450 and 500 media professionals have fled the country, and more than 30 editorial offices are now operating abroad. Despite facing numerous challenges, these editorial teams continue their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exiled Belarusian journalists struggle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A survey conducted by the BAJ revealed the main challenges faced by exiled Belarusian media. Of the 211 media professionals interviewed, most identified two key issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 67 percent cited the risk of political persecution\u2014including potential reprisals against their families\u2014as a major deterrent to their work, while 62 percent stated that their pay was insufficient to maintain a normal life abroad. Additionally, 40 percent complained about excessive workloads.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some outlets are also grappling with financial constraints. In November, Novy Chas<\/em> and Malanka Media<\/em> launched emergency fundraisers on the BySol Solidarity Fund platform. Belarusians responded quickly to these calls for help, but fundraising has been slower than expected. This highlights the unsustainable nature of relying on donor support in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, financial difficulties also impacted Reform<\/em>, Plan B<\/em> and Ex-press<\/em>. KYKY<\/em>, the Belarusian service of Polish Radio Wnet and The Village Belarus<\/em> suspended operation due to financial challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belsat TV<\/em>, the largest Belarusian-language media outlet abroad, has undergone a reorganization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to professional struggles, exiled Belarusian journalists face significant personal challenges. The BAJ survey found that 49.3 percent suffer from mental health issues, 34.6 percent have health concerns and 33.2 percent face challenges related to legal status abroad. The language barrier also complicates life for 39.3 percent of respondents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study points to a broader crisis for journalists\u2014both professional and existential. The root causes include political repression, occupational risks, forced emigration, separation from loved ones, lack of stable employment and limited access to health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s crackdown threatens independent media survival<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian regime continues its large-scale assault on independent media. Outlets are labeled \u201cextremist,\u201d their employees face repression, and access to independent information is heavily restricted.
Websites are blocked, individuals following independent media are arrested, and random smartphone checks by police are increasingly common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial support for free media outlets has become a criminal offense, and monetizing content is now nearly impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before 2020, independent media outlets were financially viable, generating revenue from ads by attracting readers with high-quality content. Private media were largely self-sustaining, without reliance on government subsidies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, advertisers are reluctant to partner with \u201cextremist\u201d media, audiences have shrunk and access to sources within the country is severely limited. Donor support has become almost the sole means of survival for these outlets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In democratic contexts, support for independent media is typically effective. Pro-democracy politicians continue to urge international donors to support the embattled Belarusian journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, funding for Belarusian media is dwindling. Competition for funds has intensified, fueled in part by the war in Ukraine and an influx of Russian media professionals fleeing repression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may seem logical for donors to cut funding after five years of exile, from a geopolitical standpoint, this represents a strategic misstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Propaganda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Belarus and Russia have been subjected to heavy state-sponsored propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent websites dominated the Belarusian media landscape until the 2020 election. Trust in state television was low, and state-run newspapers relied on forced subscriptions to maintain circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials recognized the crucial role of independent media in shaping public opinion during the mass protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusians, mostly relying on their own observations rather than official propaganda, were skeptical of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s election victory. In contrast, Russian propaganda was more sophisticated and generously funded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No significant opposition projects have emerged to challenge the dominance of state television in Russia. This enabled Russian President Vladimir Putin to consolidate voter support, including for his war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 2020, Belarusian authorities adopted the Russian model of propaganda. \u0141uka\u0161enka silenced the independent voices and has since worked to spread his messages to the broader population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prolonged exposure to propaganda can shift public opinion, though its impact is difficult to quantify.
Despite the pressure, independent media maintain a significant audience, utilize multiple distribution platforms, launch new YouTube channels and stay active on TikTok. This reflects the adaptability of editorial teams in extreme conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the BAJ survey suggests that without changes in funding, independent media risk losing the information war. In this scenario, the Belarusian public may become more passive and susceptible to propaganda, much like the Russian population, and abandon democratic aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust in state media said to be rising<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On November 30, Ivan Ejsmant, head of the Belarusian Television and Radio Company, claimed that over 50 percent of Belarusians trust state media, citing a survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such statements, like all propaganda content, are dubious at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Ejsmant inadvertently acknowledged that only recently did the majority of Belarusians distrust official media. His remarks indirectly confirm that, despite four years of repression, independent media are still in demand and continue to influence public opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ejsmant could easily inflate the figure to 70-80 percent, as there is no way to verify his numbers. Yet, he carefully stated \u201c50+ percent,\u201d indicating uncertainty about the true extent of propaganda\u2019s reach.
Independent Belarusian media find it increasingly difficult to compete with state propaganda, which is bolstered by the administrative power of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BAJ noted that the Belarusian media are enduring a difficult period and encouraged journalists to experiment, innovate and search for funding to keep their professional communities intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BAJ Chairman Andrej Bastuniec, when asked about the future of Belarusian journalism in exile, said that it is too early to make definitive forecasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts predict that the Belarusian media landscape will remain largely unchanged in 2025, though they project a potential 10 percent decline in funding. Bastuniec himself said he could not predict what would happen in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barys Harecki, deputy head of the BAJ, also remarked that while challenges persist, a significant worsening of the situation is unlikely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Belarusian journalism is going through a tumultuous period. Independent media, which were highly influential until 2020, have been crushed by the authorities and are now operating in exile, facing increasing challenges. The Ministry of Information reported on December 1 that of the 1,143 media outlets registered in Belarus, 601 are non-state media. However, private ownership […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":117260,"template":"","rubric":[22],"class_list":["post-117734","longreads","type-longreads","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","rubric-theviewer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSurvey: exiled Belarusian media resilient but financially strained | Pozirk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Belarusian journalism is going through a tumultuous period. 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