{"id":3869,"date":"2025-07-29T15:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factcheck.lt\/?p=3869"},"modified":"2025-09-22T15:24:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T12:24:06","slug":"","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factcheck.lt\/eng\/news\/belarusian_tiktok_toxic_hashtags\/","title":{"rendered":"Toxic Narratives: Belarusian TikTok and the Art of Digital Manipulation","raw":"Toxic Narratives: Belarusian TikTok and the Art of Digital Manipulation"},"content":{"rendered":"

n July 2025, our research group decided to investigate several toxic TikTok hashtags used by Belarusian state propaganda against Belarusians outside the country and opposition activists. We discovered how seemingly innocent hashtags become instruments of stigmatization and psychological pressure.<\/p>\n

Our publication is based on analysis of 115 videos, 108 transcripts and 2,657 comments, tens of thousands of interactions and detailed study of botnets for the period from June 1 to July 28, 2025. The results show systematic use of manipulative techniques and coordinated inauthentic behavior to promote toxic narratives.<\/p>\n

Methodology: Three-level analysis system<\/strong>
\nThis research was conducted using a comprehensive analytical system integrating data from Exolyt<\/a>, TikTok Campaign Analyzer and proprietary algorithms for detecting coordinated behavior. All data was obtained from open sources while adhering to principles of ethical journalism and personal data protection.<\/p>\n

The research period covered June 1 – July 28, 2025, which allowed us to capture both spontaneous activity and coordinated spikes.<\/p>\n

Strict criteria were applied to confirm our findings: cross-validation of data from multiple sources, verification of temporal correlations of events, analysis of linguistic patterns to identify automated content, and verification through open sources.<\/p>\n

Anatomy of toxic terms: from words to weapons<\/strong>
\nLet’s analyze the terms “\u0431\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “fugitives” and “\u0437\u043c\u0430\u0433\u0430\u0440\u044b” \/ “fighters” from the perspective of Domestic Information Manipulation and Interference (DIMI).<\/p>\n

“\u0411\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “Fugitives”: constructing the enemy image<\/strong>
\nThe term “\u0431\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “fugitives” in the context of Belarusian politics represents a carefully constructed tool of discreditation. Our in-depth analysis showed that this word functions as a manipulative designation, implying cowardice and illegitimacy of people’s actions, creating a negative emotional background and contrasting these people with “loyal” citizens.<\/p>\n

According to our analysis, the use of this term in media and official communications escalates fear among remaining citizens, creating the message: “if you leave – you become a ‘fugitive’, an enemy of the state.” This affects behavior and psychological state, limiting freedom of choice and creating an atmosphere of paranoia.<\/p>\n

The disinformation effect of the term manifests in spreading false or one-sided narratives. For example, that “\u0431\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “fugitives” avoid responsibility or commit anti-state actions. In reality, the reasons for leaving are diverse: political repression, threats to life, economic instability, which is completely ignored in propaganda discourse.<\/p>\n

“\u0417\u043c\u0430\u0433\u0430\u0440\u044b” \/ “fighters”: turning fighters into enemies<\/strong>
\nThe term “\u0437\u043c\u0430\u0433\u0430\u0440\u044b” \/ “fighters” proved to be a more complex case. Originally, the word means “fighters” or “resisters” in Belarusian, which is neutral or positive in itself. However, propaganda reinterprets this term, turning it into a stigma for political opponents, attaching labels of extremism or betrayal.<\/p>\n

Using the word in a negative context creates a division of society into “us” and “them.” The narrative “\u0437\u043c\u0430\u0433\u0430\u0440\u044b \/ fighters are enemies of the people” justifies repression and discrimination, emphasizes the need for conformism and loyalty to official authority. The term provokes hostility, fear, and aggression toward a certain group, intensifying the atmosphere of conflict and alienation.<\/p>\n

How data was collected and prepared for analysis<\/strong>
\nBehind smartphone screens, a quiet war is taking place, in which we ourselves unwittingly become participants. This is not just a struggle for likes and views, but a real game for control over the emotions and decisions of millions of people. The word “\u0431\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “fugitives” seems harmless until a person suddenly becomes an exile, and their personal story is reduced to a political label that leaves no room for sympathy. If people used to be labeled carefully and manually, now TikTok performs this function excellently – quickly, cheaply and massively.<\/p>\n

Here’s what a screenshot of the most viewed videos during the research period with the hashtag “\u0431\u0435\u0433\u043b\u044b\u0435” \/ “fugitives”<\/strong> looks like:
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