Although this sum is not broken down, it is assumed that the lion's share is used by the state TV and radio company. T he national and regional newspapers founded by the executive and legislative branch, as well as some literary and cultural publications also receive subsidies. Papers targeting children and youth received 100 per cent of their budget in the form of subsidies, while others specialising in art and literature received 75 per cent.
Officials claim there is no political leverage.
Indeed, the large circulation paper Zvyazda said the subsidies cover 15 per cent of the income, yet the paper has a reputation as one of the most objective newspaper in Belarus. A ccording to Vladimir Bel'sky, chairman of the State Committee on the Press, the subsidies will in the future be directed exclusively to minority, cultural and socially relevant publications. T he economic situation of the independent media is not flourishing. T his has also limited private investment in the media. Nonetheless, some capital is put into the media, in two ways.