Mass Media in Belarus
National mass media, including printed media, television and radio, online media, are increasing their influence in Belarus
The Law of the Republic of Belarus “On mass media” is a fundamental legal act regulating relations in the media industry.
As of 1 January 2020, there were:
- 1,614 printed mass media (722 newspapers, 851 magazines, 31 bulletins, 8 catalogs, 2 almanacs), including 435 state-run media outlets and 1,179 private media outlets;
- 9 news agencies: 2 state-run agencies and 7 private agencies;
- 20 online media outlets (14 state-run and 6 private ones);
- 270 television and radio stations, including 189 state-run (145 radio programs and 44 television programs) and 81 private (27 radio programs and 54 television programs).
Besides, more than 270 foreign television programs (cable networks) and about 3,000 foreign printed mass media are available in Belarus.
As of 1 January 2020, 1,644 permissions for the distribution of printed mass media were issued in Belarus.
In spite of the growing competition on the information market Belarusian mass media remain the main source of information for Belarusians.
The largest national mass media outlets are Belarusian TV and Radio Company, the Second National TV Channel, ZAO Stolichnoye Televideniye, the publishing house Belarus Segodnya, the publishing house Zvyazda, the Belarusian Telegraph Agency.
Given the ever changing global information landscape and rapid development of technologies, formats and methods to produce and distribute information, the Belarusian media industry is moving towards digital transformation.