From Prison Cell: A Belarusian's Account of Media Manipulation

Belarus: A Prisoner's Perspective on Media Manipulation and Political Discontent An interview with a Belarusian political prisoner offers a unique perspective on the events surrounding the 2020 elections. The prisoner, whose identity remains undisclosed for safety reasons, describes observing firsthand how online engagement was used to create a false sense of widespread support for opposition movements. He notes that while online platforms showed significant engagement, real-world support was far less substantial. "There were one hundred thousand likes on the internet; ten thousand people took to the streets," he stated, illustrating the disconnect between virtual and real-world participation. The interviewee also highlighted the use of polls as a manipulation tactic by opposition media. He recounted how the prevalence of polls, particularly following the emergence of the "3 percent" meme, amplified the perception of support for the opposition. He further discussed the aggressive messaging used online, with explicit calls to violence against supporters of the government. The prisoner's account underscores the importance of critical media consumption and the need to assess the reliability of information sources in times of political unrest. The interview concludes with the prisoner's reflection on his experiences and the realization of the extent of online manipulation.