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Nexta

Nexta (Belarusian: Нехта, pronounced "Nekhta", meaning "someone") is a Belarusian opposition media project founded in 2015 by exiled journalist and blogger Stsiapan Putsila, initially as a YouTube channel focused on entertainment and news before expanding to Telegram channels that provided uncensored reporting on events within Belarus. The outlet, operated from , , by Putsila and former editor , grew to over two million subscribers on its primary Telegram channel, Nexta Live, by leveraging the platform's resistance to state-imposed restrictions and blocks. During the aftermath, Nexta became a central hub for sharing real-time videos, photos, and tactical advice for demonstrators amid widespread allegations of and a government crackdown that included partial shutdowns. Its content emphasized coordination of peaceful assemblies and exposure of security force actions, filling a void left by state-controlled media. In response, Belarusian authorities in November 2020 added Putsila and Protasevich to a terrorist wanted list, accusing them of organizing mass riots, and in October 2021 classified Nexta, Nexta Live, and affiliated channels as formations, subjecting their use or promotion to criminal penalties. Protasevich's 2021 arrest following the forced diversion of a flight highlighted the risks faced by its operators, with subsequent claims by Belarus of multimillion-dollar damages from the channel's activities. Despite these measures, Nexta continues to operate, relying on Telegram's and support to challenge the regime's information monopoly.

Naming and Origins

Etymology and Initial Launch

Nexta derives its name from the Belarusian word niechta (нехта), pronounced "nekhta," which translates to "someone," evoking a sense of anonymous, everyman opposition to authority. The term also incorporates the English word "next," symbolizing the "next generation" of Belarusian activists, as explained by its founder. This etymology underscores the channel's initial intent to represent clandestine, collective resistance rather than a named individual or organization. The project launched in 2015 as a YouTube channel founded by then-17-year-old Belarusian Stepan Putsila (also known as Stepan Svetlov), a high school graduate from Gomel whose father worked as a journalist for a Polish-language newspaper in Belarus. Putsila, motivated by frustration with President Alexander Lukashenko's regime during the 2015 presidential election, began with music videos and covers, including one dedicated to the election featuring a rendition of the Russian band Splin's song "No Choice." Early content focused on satirical and youth-oriented commentary, amassing a modest following before evolving. By 2018, facing YouTube restrictions and seeking greater anonymity amid growing scrutiny from Belarusian authorities, Putsila transitioned the primary operations to Telegram, where the channel's real-time dissemination capabilities took shape.

Pre-Protest Activities

Nexta transitioned from its initial music-oriented content to and opposition reporting by 2017, focusing on scandals, social injustices, and government policies in . The channel produced weekly news videos highlighting issues such as the "parasite tax" under Decree , which penalized unemployed individuals, and covered related protests against the policy. A notable 2017 video, "They are sentenced to death," exposed cases and amassed 5.5 million views, drawing significant domestic attention despite state-controlled media dominance. In April 2019, Nexta was the first outlet to report the murder of a policeman in , providing on-the-ground details amid official silence, which underscored its role in filling information gaps created by . Later that year, on October 2019, it released the documentary "Lukashenka: Criminal Materials," compiling evidence of alleged regime abuses including election fraud and repression, which garnered nearly 3 million views before authorities classified it as "extremist" content. Facing escalating pressure, Nexta shifted to Telegram in autumn 2018, launching the Nexta Live channel to leverage its encryption and speed for real-time updates, initially attracting 2,000 subscribers on day one through anonymous contributor submissions from within Belarus. This move followed a February 2018 criminal case against founder Stsiapan Putsila for "insulting the president," prompting his relocation to Poland and the channel's operation from exile to evade surveillance. By mid-2019, the YouTube channel had exceeded 100,000 subscribers, reflecting gradual audience growth driven by satirical critiques and uncensored reporting unavailable in state media. These efforts established Nexta as a nascent alternative voice, though its reach remained limited compared to later surges, prioritizing factual aggregation over direct mobilization at this stage.

Leadership and Operations

Founders and Key Personnel

Stsiapan Putsila, a Belarusian journalist and blogger born in 1998, founded Nexta in 2015 at the age of 17 as a YouTube channel aimed at sharing information with Belarusian citizens. Initially operating solo, Putsila managed the channels until expanding the team around 2019. He serves as the CEO of Nexta, which has grown into a major independent media platform focused on Belarus and Eastern Europe. In exile since fleeing Belarus due to political persecution, Putsila was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison by Belarusian authorities in 2023 on charges including organizing mass riots. Yan Rudzkou, also known as Yan Rudzik, co-founded Nexta Live, the Telegram channel variant, alongside Putsila. Rudzkou served as an administrator for the channel and faced similar legal repercussions from the Belarusian regime, including . Raman Pratasevich, a former of Nexta Live, joined the team in 2019 and contributed significantly to its operations during the 2020 protests before his arrest in May 2021 following the of a flight in . Other key personnel include Tadeusz Giczan, involved in the channel's management, though the core team remained small, often comprising just a few individuals in its early years.

Organizational Evolution and Relocation

Nexta began as an informal YouTube channel initiated by founder Stsiapan Putsila in 2015, primarily featuring satirical videos critiquing everyday life under the Lukashenko regime. By 2018, Putsila had relocated to Warsaw, Poland, amid growing personal risks in Belarus, shifting the platform's focus to Telegram for broader, real-time news dissemination while operating from exile. The 2020 presidential election protests catalyzed significant organizational growth, transforming Nexta from Putsila's solo project into a decentralized with a core team of approximately four editors based in , who coordinated content verification, live updates, and non-violent protest guides via Telegram. This evolution emphasized rapid, crowd-sourced reporting over traditional hierarchies, enabling scalability to millions of subscribers without a central physical office in . Post-2020, intensified Belarusian suppression—including criminal charges against Putsila for alleged riot organization—solidified Nexta's exile structure in , prompting expansions such as the launch of Nexta Live for live coverage and a dedicated (nexta.tv) for archived content and multilingual outreach. The outlet maintained operational continuity through remote contributors and encrypted tools, avoiding formal registration to mitigate legal vulnerabilities while prioritizing security over institutionalization.

Historical Role in Belarusian Events

Build-Up to 2020 Elections

Nexta Live, the primary Telegram channel of the Nexta outlet, had grown into a prominent platform for independent journalism by mid-2020, with over 300,000 subscribers ahead of the presidential election. Operating from exile in to avoid domestic restrictions, it emphasized investigative content on government corruption and official misconduct, building audience trust through reports that contrasted sharply with narratives. A key milestone was the October 2019 release of the documentary Lukashenka: Criminal Materials, which exposed alleged criminal activities by President and officials, achieving nearly 3 million views and accelerating the channel's reach among skeptical of regime claims. In the months preceding the vote, Nexta covered escalating political tensions, including responses to opposition and early indicators of electoral irregularities, such as restricted registrations and protest suppressions. The outlet shared user-submitted videos and photos documenting abuses, like incidents of violence during smaller rallies, fostering a for real-time information sharing that bypassed official censorship. This pre-election focus on helped amplify calls for fair , with Nexta positioning itself as a coordinator for and awareness amid reports of manipulations starting August 4. Founded by Stsiapan Putsila in 2015 as a satirical YouTube channel mocking Lukashenko's campaigns, Nexta's evolution to Telegram in 2018—following legal pressures for "insulting the president"—enabled it to sustain operations despite founder exile and grow into a de facto opposition bulletin. By highlighting systemic issues like corruption probes and unaddressed social grievances, the channel contributed to eroding public acquiescence toward the incumbent's re-election bid, though its adversarial stance drew accusations of bias from pro-government sources.

Coordination During 2020–2021 Protests

![Stsiapan Putsila at Sakharov Prize ceremony for protest coverage][float-right] Following the disputed August 9, 2020, presidential election in Belarus, the Telegram channel Nexta Live emerged as a central hub for coordinating opposition protests, bypassing government-imposed internet restrictions and media blackouts. Its subscriber base rapidly expanded from around 300,000 to over 1.5 million by mid-August 2020, enabling real-time dissemination of information to a wide audience amid widespread arrests and violence against demonstrators. Nexta Live published detailed protest schedules, specifying dates, times, and locations for nationwide actions, such as the women's marches on August 13, 2020, which drew tens of thousands and emphasized non-violent participation. Coordinators shared interactive maps marking deployments and safe routes to minimize clashes, alongside addresses for hiding from authorities and contacts for . The channel promoted unifying symbols like the and heartbeat gesture, fostering a sense of collective identity among protesters while urging adherence to peaceful tactics, including avoiding and weapons. Throughout late 2020 and into 2021, Nexta continued facilitating weekly demonstrations, such as marches, by posting hundreds of updates daily on movements, detentions, and evasion strategies, which helped sustain mobilization despite escalating government crackdowns. By September 2020, subscribers exceeded 2 million, amplifying its role in grassroots organization and against state narratives. However, Belarusian authorities accused the channel of directing unrest, leading to its designation as extremist material in October 2020, though evidence from independent reports indicates its content primarily focused on logistical support for peaceful assemblies.

Aftermath and Suppression Efforts

In the wake of the , which peaked after the August 9, 2020, presidential election and were systematically quashed by security forces through over 30,000 arrests and widespread use of force by early 2021, Nexta transitioned to fully exiled operations from , where its founders had relocated amid threats. From this base, the outlet persisted in disseminating reports on ongoing repression, including political prisoner cases and forced labor camps, while adapting to evade blocks by using proxy channels and rebranding tactics like temporarily renaming to Hexta following initial designations. Despite diminished on-the-ground coordination capabilities, Nexta retained significant influence among and covert domestic audiences, covering events such as the 2022 invasion's implications for . Belarusian authorities mounted aggressive suppression campaigns against Nexta, beginning with legal designations that criminalized its content and user engagement. On October 20, 2020, Minsk's Central District Court labeled the Nexta-Live Telegram channel and its logo as "," banning their dissemination and subjecting reposters to administrative fines up to 1,000 base units (approximately $32,000 at the time) or 15-day detentions. Efforts to throttle Telegram access via internet shutdowns and DPI filtering proved largely ineffective due to the platform's built-in anti-censorship tools, such as proxy servers and obfuscated traffic, prompting a pivot to user-level prosecutions under anti- statutes. Suppression intensified post-2021, with October 13, 2021, government resolutions equating subscription to or reposting from Nexta channels with membership in an "extremist formation," escalating penalties to criminal charges carrying 2–7 years in prison. On April 9, , the Supreme Court further classified Nexta's three primary Telegram channels as a "," enabling asset seizures and broader conspiracy charges against perceived affiliates. These measures resulted in hundreds of domestic arrests tied to Nexta interactions; for instance, by 2023, authorities had initiated extremism cases against individuals solely for viewing or sharing channel content, often combining them with protest-related offenses. Exiled personnel faced trials, including charges against co-founder Stepan Putilo in May for alleged "" organization via the channel. Despite these efforts, Nexta's exile model sustained its reach, with channels like Nexta Live maintaining nearly 1 million subscribers by late 2021 through Telegram's resilience and international hosting, though domestic access relied on VPNs amid pervasive . Belarusian and prosecutors framed such persistence as foreign-orchestrated , justifying expanded monitoring of Telegram traffic, but lacked technical means for total blockade without alienating users dependent on the app for daily communication. By 2023, suppression had evolved into routine application of laws against over 1,700 post-protest cases annually, many linked to like Nexta, embedding the outlet's content into the regime's narrative of existential threats.

Content Production and Dissemination

Format, Platforms, and Audience Reach

Nexta disseminates content primarily through Telegram channels, featuring textual updates, short video clips documenting events, photographic evidence of protests and political developments, and visual aids such as maps outlining safe routes and gathering points during unrest. This format emphasizes brevity and immediacy to circumvent state-imposed restrictions and inform audiences amid suppressed domestic media. The outlet maintains a multi-platform presence, with Telegram serving as the core hub via channels like Nexta (117,000 subscribers) and Nexta Live (821,000 subscribers) for encrypted, high-frequency messaging. Supplementary distribution occurs on through channels such as NEXTA (646,000 subscribers) and NEXTA Live (2.82 million subscribers) for extended video reports, and on under @nexta_tv (1.2 million followers) for wider international sharing. Its website, nexta.tv, aggregates articles and supports donations but plays a secondary role in real-time outreach. Collectively, Nexta's audience exceeds 5.5 million followers across these platforms as of 2024, reflecting sustained growth from its 2020 protest-era peaks despite government blocks and relocations abroad. This reach positions it as a leading independent media voice, though actual engagement within is constrained by VPN dependencies and state throttling.

Verification Practices and Challenges

Nexta primarily relies on crowd-sourced submissions from Belarusian users, including photographs, videos, and leaked documents, to gather real-time information during events like the 2020–2021 protests, as on-the-ground reporting is limited by the regime's repression and the channel's exile operations. Content undergoes by editors, with the chief editor holding final approval, to filter out fabricated material often planted by authorities to undermine credibility; this includes cross-verification against multiple sources for routine claims and requests for additional details from submitters when feasible. The approach emphasizes operational speed to counter state-controlled media blackouts and restrictions, positioning Nexta as a rapid-response information hub rather than a traditional journalistic outlet with rigorous pre-publication protocols. Verification faces significant hurdles due to Nexta's base in , which complicates on-site confirmation of events in amid frequent internet shutdowns and contributor for safety. The high volume of submissions during peak protest periods often prioritizes timeliness over exhaustive checks, leading to instances of unverified content, such as the August 28, 2020, erroneous claim that Viktor Snyezhcky was fired from Grodno State University for protest support—later corrected after denial—and a September 10, 2020, misidentification of a pro-regime rally attendee as Aleksey Kulakov. These errors reflect in anti-Lukashenka outlets, where narratives aligning with opposition views are amplified without sufficient scrutiny, potentially eroding trust; some protesters expressed skepticism toward Nexta narratives due to prior cases. Authorities exacerbate challenges by disseminating deliberate fakes to discredit opposition , necessitating constant vigilance against planted content, while legal designations of Nexta as extremist since October 2020 heighten risks for contributors and limit access to diverse verification channels. Despite efforts to avoid sensitive leaks, the hybrid activist-media model invites accusations of partiality, as rapid dissemination can outpace accuracy in an environment of .

Legal and Governmental Conflicts

Belarusian Extremist Designation

On 20 October 2020, the Central District Court of ruled that the NEXTA-Live Telegram channel and its logo qualified as "extremist" materials under Belarusian law, directing the to add them to the national registry of prohibited content and to restrict public access to associated information. This initial designation stemmed from the channel's prominent role in coordinating and amplifying protests against the disputed 2020 presidential election results, which Belarusian authorities characterized as fomenting unrest and violating anti-extremism statutes. The ruling imposed immediate legal repercussions, rendering it a criminal offense—punishable by fines, , or imprisonment—to disseminate, repost, or publicly display NEXTA-Live content, including its symbols, with enforcement extending to private communications and online subscriptions. By late 2020, authorities had arrested individuals solely for following or sharing channel updates, signaling a strategy to deter engagement through mass liability. On 29 October 2021, the Ministry of Internal Affairs expanded the classification, designating the broader NEXTA, NEXTA Live, and affiliated LUXTA Telegram channels as "extremist formations," which formally banned their operations within Belarus and escalated penalties for any interaction, including viewing or donating to them. This affected an estimated 1.4 million subscribers at the time, whom NEXTA publicly noted had been retroactively implicated as potential violators. The designations aligned with amendments to Belarus's administrative and criminal codes, enabling asset seizures and travel bans for those linked to the channels. These actions formed part of a systematic crackdown on digital opposition platforms post-2020, with the regime justifying them as countermeasures against foreign-influenced , though observers documented over 30,000 related detentions by mid-2021. NEXTA, operating from exile, maintained that the labels served to delegitimize non-state media challenging official narratives.

Criminal Proceedings Against Personnel

In November 2020, Belarusian authorities opened a criminal case against Nexta co-founders Stsiapan Putsila and Tsihan Shamyakin, as well as former editor Raman Pratasevich, accusing them of organizing and inciting mass riots under Article 293 of , along with inciting enmity or hatred based on political, national, or other social grounds under Article 130. The charges stemmed from Nexta's role in coordinating and reporting on protests following the disputed August 2020 presidential election, with investigators alleging the channel's content contributed to over 2,000 instances of unrest. Putsila and Shamyakin, both in abroad, were added to Belarus's national and international wanted lists. Additional proceedings followed in May 2022, when prosecutors filed new charges against Putsila for organizing a terrorist group under Article 289-3, alongside prior accusations of and inciting hatred; these were linked to Nexta's designation as an entity by Belarusian courts earlier that year. Yan Rudzik, a Nexta contributor, faced similar expanded charges, including participation in an formation. The most extensive proceedings culminated in a trial at Regional Court beginning February 16, 2023, against Pratasevich (in custody following his 2021 arrest via forced flight diversion), Putsila, and Rudzik (tried ). The three were collectively accused of committing at least 1,586 offenses across more than 10 articles, including organizing mass riots (Article 293), conspiracy to seize power (Article 357), (Article 289), financing (Article 361-1), inciting (Article 130), insulting the president (Article 367), and undermining (Article 356-1). Prosecutors sought 10 years for Pratasevich, with demands for over 30 million Belarusian rubles (~$11.9 million USD at the time) in damages from all defendants. Pratasevich pleaded guilty to multiple counts during the trial. On May 3, 2023, the court convicted all three: Pratasevich received eight years in prison, Putsila was sentenced to 20 years , and Rudzik to 19 years , with additional civil penalties for state damages. Pratasevich was pardoned by on May 22, 2023, and released from shortly thereafter, while sentences against the exiles remain enforceable upon potential return. These cases reflect broader Belarusian government efforts to prosecute opposition media figures, with independent monitors describing the charges as politically motivated and disproportionate.

Arrests and High-Profile Cases

, a former chief editor of the Nexta Live Telegram channel, was arrested on May 23, 2021, after Belarusian authorities diverted from to and forced it to land in under the pretext of a . Protasevich, who had contributed to Nexta channels during the 2020 protests by coordinating opposition activities, faced multiple charges including organizing and preparing actions that grossly violated public order, inciting mass riots, and involvement in an extremist group. The incident drew international condemnation for its violation of aviation norms and targeted detention of a . In a related high-profile trial beginning in February 2023, the Regional Court convicted Protasevich, Nexta co-founder Stsiapan Putsila, and former Nexta editor Yan Rudzik on charges stemming from their administration of the channels, including conspiracy to seize state power, forming an extremist organization, and actions disrupting public order. On May 3, 2023, Protasevich—already under since June 2021—was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Putsila and Rudzik, both in exile in , received 20 and 19 years , respectively. Protasevich was pardoned by President on May 22, 2023, and released from . These cases arose after Belarus designated Nexta an extremist organization in October 2020, prompting widespread arrests of individuals for reposting or following its content, with authorities claiming over 1,000 such detentions by early 2021. However, the trials of Nexta personnel highlighted the regime's focus on channel leadership, with Putsila additionally charged in 2022 with directing a terrorist group from abroad. No core Nexta figures have been arrested since 2021, as most operate from exile, though Belarus has pursued extradition efforts through .

Controversies and Debates

Claims of Incitement and Extremism

Belarusian authorities accused Nexta channels of inciting mass riots and extremism by disseminating content that organized unsanctioned gatherings and disrupted public order during the 2020 presidential election protests. In October 2020, a Minsk district court designated Nexta Live and its logo as "extremist materials," citing videos and posts that prosecutors claimed called for participation in illegal mass events and fomented social discord against the state. These allegations formed the basis for criminal cases against channel administrators, including charges under Article 293 of the Criminal Code for organizing group actions grossly disrupting public order. Prosecutors specifically alleged that Nexta personnel, such as co-founder Stsiapan Putsila and former editor Raman Pratasevich, posted materials inciting participation in riots and armed resistance to the government, with Pratasevich's 2021 trial featuring claims of coordinating "extremist activities" and acts of aimed at undermining . The Interior further contended that Nexta's publication of security forces' personal data—such as names, photos, and unit affiliations—constituted doxxing intended to provoke vigilante violence or coerced defections, potentially escalating protests into armed confrontations. By April 2022, the Belarusian upheld and expanded these claims, classifying Nexta, Nexta Live, and Nexta Guidance as "terrorist" organizations for allegedly inciting social hatred, financing , and orchestrating ongoing threats through coordination tactics like road blockades and strikes. Government statements framed such activities as deliberate efforts to provoke violent upheaval, drawing parallels to foreign-orchestrated destabilization, though independent analyses noted that much of the content focused on logistical support rather than explicit directives for physical harm.

Allegations of Misinformation

Nexta has been accused of spreading , primarily by pro-government sources in and independent analysts observing the 2020 protests. These allegations center on unverified reports amplified during periods of intense , where Nexta prioritized speed over rigorous to counter state-controlled narratives. A prominent instance involved an August 2020 report by Nexta Live claiming that a Belarusian An-26 military transport plane had been shot down by security forces near , implying deliberate action against protesters or defectors. Official investigations by Belarusian authorities, corroborated by experts, determined the crash resulted from engine failure during a training flight, not hostile fire. Nexta retracted the claim after initial dissemination, but it provided fodder for regime-aligned Telegram channels to discredit opposition as fabricators. Similarly, Nexta circulated video footage in August 2020 purporting to show regime violence against Belarusian demonstrators, which was later identified as repurposed material from Ukraine's 2014 clashes in . The misattribution stemmed from unverified submissions by users, fitting a pattern of where anti-Lukashenko outlets, including Nexta and , shared content aligning with expectations of state brutality without immediate cross-verification. Corrections followed, but the episodes underscored vulnerabilities in Telegram-based reporting amid real-time protests. Belarusian state media and officials routinely branded Nexta content as "" under laws prohibiting information deemed harmful to , leading to its designation in October 2020. However, such claims from regime sources lack independence, given documented patterns of state to suppress . Nexta personnel, including former editor , have countered that they actively filtered planted falsehoods from security services intended to sow doubt among followers. Independent reviews, such as those from the DFRLab, attribute Nexta's errors not to deliberate deceit but to the pressures of operating in a high-stakes, censored environment where opposition sources outnumbered verifiable ones.

Perspectives on Legitimacy as Media vs. Activist Group

Nexta has been praised by international observers and figures as a vital outlet operating in a highly repressive environment, where state control over traditional broadcasting limits access to alternative viewpoints. Exiled Belarusian media organizations, including Nexta, rely on platforms like Telegram to disseminate information to domestic audiences despite government blocks, positioning it as a key source for uncensored reporting on protests and abuses. However, this role often involves aggregating user-submitted content and coordinating protest logistics, which supporters argue is necessary for survival under authoritarian censorship rather than a departure from journalistic norms. Critics, including some within Belarusian independent media, contend that Nexta functions more as an activist network than a neutral journalistic entity, prioritizing mobilization over verification and thereby undermining media credibility. For instance, Anna Kaltygina of the opposition-affiliated Tut.by outlet stated in August 2020 that Nexta "devalues media work by publishing unverified information and stirring revolution," highlighting instances where rapid posting of unconfirmed reports fueled unrest without rigorous fact-checking. Belarusian authorities, who designated Nexta channels as extremist in October 2020 and terrorist organizations in April 2022, portray it as a foreign-orchestrated propaganda tool inciting violence, though this perspective aligns with their broader suppression of dissent and lacks independent corroboration. The debate centers on the blurred boundaries between and in contexts, with Nexta's content—combining calls, vulgar critiques of the regime, and reader exclusives—exemplifying a hybrid model that expands opposition media space but invites accusations of bias and confirmation-seeking. Pro-government Telegram channels have repeatedly highlighted Nexta's errors, such as unverified claims during the 2020 election , to discredit it as unreliable rather than . While Western analyses often frame Nexta as a legitimate digital innovator against , the absence of transparent editorial standards and its explicit coordination of actions, as noted in its strategy to build parallel opposition structures, fuel skepticism about its adherence to .

Impact and Reception

Influence on Belarusian Opposition

Nexta significantly shaped the 's tactics and mobilization during the 2020–2021 protests following the disputed on August 9, 2020, by leveraging Telegram's and reach to circumvent state-controlled and blackouts. The channel, which grew from several hundred thousand subscribers pre-election to over 2 million by September 2020, became the primary platform for disseminating real-time protest instructions, such as assembly points, police location maps, and evasion tactics, enabling decentralized coordination without a central leadership vulnerable to arrest. This approach filled a vacuum left by exiled or detained traditional opposition figures, allowing Nexta to direct actions like the nationwide strikes and women's marches that drew hundreds of thousands, including an estimated 250,000 in on one occasion as reported by the channel itself. The channel's influence extended to unifying fragmented opposition elements, explicitly calling for support behind Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's candidacy and the Coordination Council formed on August 18, 2020, to negotiate a power transition, which helped consolidate disparate groups under a single narrative of non-violent resistance. Nexta coordinated privately with rival Telegram channels to synchronize protest plans across cities, fostering a networked rather than hierarchical structure that sustained demonstrations despite over 7,000 arrests in the initial weeks. By prioritizing user-submitted videos of security force brutality—often the first public evidence of such events—Nexta amplified opposition grievances, boosting domestic morale and international awareness, which pressured the regime but also highlighted risks of unverified content in a low-trust information environment. Post-2020, Nexta's model influenced the opposition's shift toward digital exile operations, with channels continuing to guide symbolic actions like the 2021 "railway guerrilla" disruptions, though repression—including its October 2020 extremist designation—forced adaptations like splitting into multiple feeds to evade blocks. This enduring impact is evident in sustained low-level , as opposition figures abroad credit Nexta-inspired tools for maintaining cohesion amid 1,400+ political prisoners reported by late 2023, though critics argue its prominence overshadowed deeper organizational building.

International Awards and Recognition

In October 2020, the European Parliament awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the democratic opposition in Belarus, recognizing their resistance to electoral fraud and government repression following the disputed August 9 presidential election. The laureates included opposition leaders Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Coordination Council, as well as media initiatives such as the Nexta Telegram channels, which played a central role in mobilizing and informing protesters. Nexta founder Stsiapan Putsila attended the December 16, 2020, ceremony in Strasbourg to accept the prize on behalf of the media effort. The , established in 1988 and carrying a 50,000 euro award, honors individuals and groups defending and fundamental freedoms, named after Soviet physicist . Nexta's inclusion highlighted its impact in circumventing state-controlled media through Telegram broadcasts that reached millions, coordinating non-violent demonstrations, and documenting abuses amid internet blackouts and arrests. This recognition underscored international acclaim for Nexta's role in fostering civic mobilization against authoritarian rule, though Belarusian authorities labeled it extremist.

Criticisms from Authoritarian and Skeptical Viewpoints

Belarusian authorities have designated Nexta channels as extremist formations since October 2020, citing their role in coordinating mass unauthorized protests that allegedly threatened and public order during the 2020 presidential election aftermath. In April 2022, the escalated this to a full terrorist organization label for Nexta, Nexta Live, and related channels, arguing they facilitated organized actions equivalent to subversive activities against the state. Officials, including those from the , have accused Nexta of inciting and by disseminating instructions for demonstrations, which they claim led to clashes and , justifying criminal proceedings against personnel like co-founder Stsiapan Putsila for directing a terrorist group. From the regime's perspective, Nexta's operations from represent foreign interference, with the Investigative Committee pursuing recognition of its editorial board as a foreign extremist agent by March 2021, implying undue external influence in domestic affairs. Lukashenko's government has linked Nexta to broader narratives of Western-backed destabilization, portraying its protest coordination—such as mapping locations and points—as direct calls to confront authorities, rather than neutral reporting. These designations have resulted in over 1,500 alleged crimes attributed to Nexta affiliates in trials, including charges of mass riots and , with sentences handed down as recently as May 2023. Skeptical observers, including some figures and analysts, have questioned Nexta's legitimacy as impartial media, arguing it prioritizes over verification, such as publishing unconfirmed videos that could undermine credible and fuel revolutionary fervor without accountability. Critics like Anna Kaltygina of have contended that Nexta's rapid dissemination of reader-submitted content, often without rigorous fact-checking, devalues professional media standards and risks in anti-regime narratives. Even within opposition circles, there has been criticism for Nexta's style—mixing vulgar commentary with calls—which some view as eroding trust by overpromising outcomes like regime collapse without sustainable strategy. These viewpoints highlight concerns over funding opacity and its Poland-based exile status, potentially amplifying external agendas over organic Belarusian dissent, though of direct foreign control remains contested.

Current Activities and Future Outlook

Ongoing Operations as of 2025

As of October 2025, Nexta operates as an exile-based independent media outlet, primarily from , continuing to disseminate news and analysis despite the Belarusian regime's designation of its channels as extremist organizations in 2021. It maintains active presence on Telegram (with channels like NEXTA Live exceeding 800,000 subscribers), (over 2.5 million subscribers), X (formerly , with 1.2 million followers), and its website nexta.tv, which publishes articles in multiple languages including English. The platform reports a combined subscriber base surpassing 5.5 million across these channels, generating hundreds of millions of monthly views through video reports, live streams, and text updates. Content emphasizes uncensored coverage of Belarusian , Russian military actions, and the ongoing war in , alongside Eastern European and select global events. Recent publications include analyses of Russia's lingering influence in the Transnistrian conflict, marked by a 33-year anniversary, and reports on international incidents such as the Amsterdam stabbing. Nexta also tracks Belarusian-Russian joint exercises, such as the Zapad- drills involving 13,000 troops, and regime statements on deploying systems like the Oreshnik missile in . Founded by Stsiapan Putsila in 2015, Nexta sustains its mission of delivering verifiable information to circumvent state-controlled media in , where access to outlets remains heavily restricted. It leads among Belarusian exile media in audience engagement, outpacing competitors despite platform throttles and restrictions imposed by Minsk-aligned pressures as recently as March 2025. Operations rely on crowdfunding via and focus on rapid-response , including insider reports on opposition figures and regime crackdowns, without evidence of diminished output amid ongoing legal persecutions of its leadership .

Adaptations to Repression and Digital Landscape

Following its designation as an "extremist formation" by Belarusian authorities in October 2020, which led to the blocking of its primary Telegram channels within the country, Nexta relocated key operations abroad, primarily to , where co-founder Stsiapan Putsila established a base after fleeing repression. This model allowed continuity of content production despite domestic arrests, such as that of co-founder in May 2021, and subsequent expansions of bans, including a ruling in April 2022 classifying Nexta channels as a "terrorist organization." To circumvent platform-specific blocks and enhance resilience, Nexta diversified its digital presence beyond Telegram, launching and growing channels like NEXTA Live and NEXTA Plus for video reporting and live updates, which by 2025 included timely coverage of Belarusian events such as announcements. The outlet also maintained an official website, nexta.tv, for aggregated in Belarusian, , and English, serving as a centralized hub less susceptible to single-platform disruptions. Additionally, Nexta expanded to X (formerly ), where it disseminated alerts on military drills and sanctions as recently as September 2025. These multi-platform strategies mitigated risks from Telegram's partial compliance with Belarusian demands and broader government throttling of during unrest. In response to intensified digital repression, including criminalization of subscriptions to designated channels under 2021 laws punishable by up to seven years in prison, Nexta promoted user-side adaptations such as VPN usage to bypass blocks and access prohibited content. This guidance aligned with broader patterns among exiled Belarusian media, emphasizing encrypted tools and anonymous sourcing to sustain amid expanding "" definitions that encompassed reposts or donations. By 2025, these measures enabled Nexta to retain influence despite ongoing domestic shutdown threats, as articulated by Lukashenko regarding potential 2025 disruptions. The evolving landscape, marked by Telegram's global growth juxtaposed with national-level restrictions and emerging regulations on messaging apps, prompted Nexta to prioritize cross-platform and on , reducing reliance on any single vector vulnerable to state intervention. This approach has sustained operations into 2025, with content focusing on uncensored reporting from networks, though access within remains contingent on circumvention tools amid persistent .

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