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The media landscape of Belarus is dominated by the state, like all spheres of society. A large number of print outlets and some radio and TV stations are completely controlled by the government through direct budget subsidies and a monopoly on printing, distribution and broadcasting facilities. Independent newspapers and magazines exist, but they are constantly faced with government harassment and fluctuating market conditions. State-run print media are very powerful and dominate the information flow. The situation with electronic media is similar. The government-controlled national TV-channels are the unchallenged leaders and provide biased and distorted information. Independent TV-channels exist, but they face the same difficulties as independent print outlets – maybe even more.
In Belarus, Press Now invests in structural development of print media, by training journalists and managers, offering technical assistance, coordinating association building and lobby, in order to strengthen the financial position of local independent print outlets.
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