Public sphere, alternative media and social involvement in Belarus: The role of an individual in history

Abstract

Radical media plays a vital role in initiating political changes in totalitarian societies (Hong, 1998; Downing, 2001), by promoting media literacy, and acting as a catalyst to forming social identities among people. Unlike in democratic societies, people living under the totalitarian government are unable to form pressure groups or otherwise voice their concerns to their government (Downing, 2001). As going against the status quo places them at a constant risk of political repression. Moreover, most citizens lack media literacy skills that are critical to assessing the biases hidden in progovernment propaganda (Rose, 1998). This essay discusses the utmost importance of the formation and active development of what Jürgen Habermas refers to as “the public sphere.” This essay sets out to prove that active public participation in the political process is a necessary element of initializing a socio-political reform within totalitarian societies. Underground media outlets are specifically highlighted as promoters of anti-hegemonic codes of the authoritarian rule as radical media can reach out to international governments and NGOs, and bring their attention to the human rights violations. Concerned international players are then able to use financial sanctions and political negotiations to demand cessation of human rights violations.