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May 29 – June 4, 2017

State-run media lose audience and influence to independent media and online channels

The situation has not changed
State-run media lose audience and influence to independent media and online channels

Gomel blogger Maxim Filipovich will be tried for illegal production of media products (Article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). The state media are often criticized by independent analysts for poor quality of news, analytical and entertainment content. Previously, the population appealed to the Russian media as an alternative to the state media. Although the Belarusian authorities criticised the dominance of Russian content on the Belarusian information market, in general, they were fine with such a situation. Recently, most likely, online video channels on social and political topics saw an increase in traffic and influence on the public opinion; their quality improves and they become more appealing and in demand in Belarus. During the protest rallies in March and April, the Belarusian ideologists and the state media clearly lost in the information confrontation to the independent media outlets (Belsat, Radio Liberty, TUT.BY and video blogs). In addition, the influence of the propaganda product made by Belarusian ideologists has significantly decreased, even on the traditional electorate. Most likely, lobbyists from the state media would try to compensate for the non-competitiveness of their news products with restrictions on video broadcasts on the Internet.

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