Change in media consumption during the time of political crisis in Belarus and war in Ukraine

Moderator:  Serge Kharytonau, Head of iSANS Representation to the United States, iSANS GMF Visiting Fellow.

Speakers: 

Anastasiya Rahatko, Head of the Communications Department, Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Zmicier Mickievič, Analyst of Belarus Security Blog, journalist of Belsat TV

Hanna Liubakova, Journalist from Belarus, Atlantic Council fellow

Belarusian media, like the rest of Belarusian society, are facing a situation of unprecedented repression. May 18 was a year after Tut.by, one of the most popular Belarusian media, was crushed, but all independent media in Belarus faced repression. Many journalists and even entire editorial offices were forced to leave the country and start their activities anew.   

All this led to radical changes both in the landscape of the media field in Belarus and in media consumption. At the same time, we have to speak about the growth of Russian influence on the Belarusian media sphere. In addition, after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the consumption of information from the Ukrainian media has increased. 

How has the Belarusian media sphere and media consumption changed? What is the Russian influence on the media sphere in Belarus? What Ukrainian media are popular among Belarusians? What are the main needs and challenges of Belarusian media and journalists’ community?

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