Zvyazda (meaning “star” in Belarusian) is a state-run daily newspaper in Belarus. Its history goes back to 1917 when Zvyazda was founded as an official newspaper of the Minsk Committee of Russian Bolsheviks.
Media assets
Publishing: Zvyazda
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
Zvyazda is published by Zvyazda Publishing House, a state-owned company that emerged through the merger of Literature and Art publishing house and Zvyazda newspaper. The publisher is subordinated to the Ministry of Information, which appoints the outlet’s top management.
Source of funding and budget
Zvyazda is majority funded by the government via a state budget subsidy. The outlet also generates money through advertising, according to local journalists and experts.
Editorial independence
Zvyazda is a key propaganda media outlet whose editorial line is under government control. An ad hoc content analysis of its webpage revealed a markedly biased and propagandistic editorial line, fully supportive of the government.
No domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism that would validate the editorial independence of Zvyazda have been identified.
September 2023