During 6 January - 6 February 2006, e-belarus.org conducted a survey of Belarusian online media by selecting 10 very different websites of various types, as well as with different political attitudes. The selection was made on the basis of the average number of visitors per day.

The analysis of the 10 selected online news resources revealed that 58% of the total number of news is taken from national online and offline resources and 37% from foreign sources. 5% of the total number of news is presented without mentioning its sources. National press agencies cover 34% of the news, 38% news comes from foreign sources (out of which 27% from Russia), 8% of news is taken from each other and only 5% of the total number of news is original content.

The major sources for Belarusian online media are national press agencies Belapan and Belta, Russian lenta.ru, Interfax and Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe website.

In spite of the technological developments and the occurrence of new online tools, Belarusian online media seem to basically use traditional journalism techniques. The number and quality of Belarusian media online is at an early stage, most of them being news sites with very limited editorial news and some form of participatory communication.

The survey revealed that out of all the media in Belarus, only 6% have online presence.

Based on statistics and the users evaluation, the survey also showed some concern related to the accuracy and objectivity of the news presented on these websites.

The European Commission has recently announced the creation of a new EU-funded Belarus radiostation in an attempt to create a more pluralistic media landscape. They started broadcasting on 26 February 2006. The pre-election radio broadcasts will be aired on medium wave and streamed on the Internet. Broadcasts will also be available as podcasts.

Belarusian Mass Media Online (28.02.2006)
http://www.e-belarus.org/article/onlinemedia2006.html

Report on Belarusian Online Media Survey (28.02.2006)
http://www.e-belarus.org/docs/onlinemedia2006.pdf

Belarus: EU-Funded Broadcasts Set To Begin (24.02.2006)
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/2/F350FD6D-CA4C-4149-97D0-D3...

(Thanks to Mikhail Doroshevich - E-Belarus.ORG)