After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on December 8, 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.

Belarus has over 100,000 internet hosts, as well as internet user ship of over two million. The print media includes over six hundred newspapers, of which more than 200 are operated by the state. In addition, there are over 500 magazines in publication. Of these, over 100 are state owned. Print media is published in Belorussian, Russian, English, German, Ukrainian, Polish and other various languages. The majority of media printed for popular consumption are published in Russian.

There are more than 20 FM radio stations broadcasting in Belarus. Most radio stations are located in the capital, Minsk. There are dozens of TV stations telecasting in Belarus, including 30 registered under state ownership and more than 40 listed as commercial. Cable television is accessible in many cities of Belarus. There are about 100 broadcast channels available via cable. Additionally, Belarus-TV is a round-the-clock state-operated satellite TV channel. The channel is operated by the National State Broadcasting Company of Belarus. It is designed to provide communication for and about Belarussian people, and is telecast in the Belorussian and Russian languages.