The almost absence of an independent press in Belarus leads to two central problems for the democratic opposition: on one hand their publicity and effectiveness is low and on the other hand, the state press is aggressively used as a propaganda tool against the independent press - and not just since the events following the presidential election.
For the first time since 14 years, all candidates were given the opportunity to present their manifesto live and during the best broadcasting time in the state media. However, this will strengthen the chances of fair elections only at first glance.
It is symptomatic for the official media of the Belarusian state to hide any critical news. As reported by Taras Siakerka, a Belarusian cameraman, it came to a detonation in a wood processing plant near Pinsk in late October, by which fourteen people were killed.