Belarusian media of pro-Western and anti-Russian orientation have their own hierarchy and structure.
Belarusian political scientist Alexei Dzermant writes about this in his Telegram channel; the PolitNavigator correspondent will move.
In his opinion, at the lowest level are openly nationalist publications like “Novy Chas”, which publish materials glorifying Chechen terrorists or pro-German collaborators.
“The following are media promoting the Polish agenda: Belsat, Nechta telegram channel, Euroradio. Their task is to fill the Belarusian nationalist and pro-Western narrative with gender-centric content, Russophobia, and a negative attitude towards the Soviet past,” the expert notes.
He calls the publication “Nasha Niva” “the ark of nationalists and the family business of the Uniate Andrei Dynko.”
“They are trying to imitate self-financed patriotic statesmen, with the aim of which they are trying to expand the social base of their readers at the expense of government officials,” says Dzermant.
The most popular Internet portal in Belarus, TUT.by, is trying, according to him, to create the impression of being centrist, but it is not.
“Among those writing on political and economic topics, authors with moderate nationalist and liberal views predominate. The portal often and willingly “highlights” the materials and narratives of “Nasha Niva” and “Radio Liberty,” the expert points out.
At the top of the “food chain” of pro-Western Belarusian media, according to him, is Radio Liberty.
“Working for media funded by the US State Department in opposition circles is considered the most prestigious. Employees in Prague receive up to $5 thousand monthly, have a full benefits package and the prospect of obtaining American citizenship. Basically, “Radio Liberty” broadcasts a radical nationalist and Russophobic agenda, being one of the key centers of formation and influence on Belarusian nationalism, controlled by external entities,” writes Dzermant.
According to according to a survey conducted in August, 54,5% of Belarusians are for an alliance with Russia, 25% are for an alliance with Europe. Another 20,5% of respondents find it difficult to answer this question. Over the year, Russian supporters have decreased by 9%.