Second National TV Channel (ONT)

Second National TV Channel (ONT) is the second state-owned television broadcaster in Belarus. Established in 2002, the station uses the frequencies of the Russian state-run Channel One, re-broadcasting most of its programs.


Media assets

Television: ONT

State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)


Ownership and governance

ONT was established in 2002 through a Decree of the President of Belarus as a majority state-owned broadcast company. It is run by the Ministry of Information, which appoints the station’s top management. The ministry owns 51% of the company and Belarusbank, a state-owned banking group, controls a 29% stake in it. The company is also subordinated to the President office.

Source of funding and budget

ONT is majority funded by the government, which provides a state allocation. The station also sells advertising, but the amount of revenues generated commercially accounts only for a small part of the station’s total budget, according to journalists and experts specializing in Belarus.

Editorial independence

ONT’s editorial line is tightly controlled by the Belarusian government through the station’s top management that is appointed by the ministry of information.

No domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism that would validate the editorial independence of ONT have been identified.

September 2023