How Russia's Telegram Blockade Affects Popular Channels

Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor has been blocking Telegram for several months, causing channels to lose half their audience. However, the channels have found new ways to reach their viewers. The blockade affects both political media channels like Dožd and entertainment channels.

Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor has been actively blocking Telegram in recent months, creating serious problems for many popular channels. Although the app remains accessible via VPN and proxy servers, the number of users has dropped noticeably, as the blockade has made using the messaging app inconvenient.

Audience halved

According to Agentstvo, Russian Telegram channels lost as much as half their audience following new restrictions in late April and early May. This is a significant blow to both politically oriented channels like Dožd and Pezduz as well as entertainment channels, which have built relationships with their readership over years.

Medusa interviewed authors of three civic-political channels and two entertainment channels about how they are coping with the blocking situation. The results are surprisingly optimistic; the channels have found alternative ways to reach their public, and several have even expanded their operations to other platforms.

New solutions surprisingly effective

Channel authors have implemented various strategies to maintain contact with their audience. One channel joked that if all other channels are shut down, they will "start telling news through doorbells," a reference to the idea that information freedom cannot be completely suppressed. This broadly reflects the attitude of independent media channels: content distribution finds a way, regardless of technical obstacles.

In summary, Telegram's blockade in Russia demonstrates the ongoing tense game between authorities and independent media. Although the decline in user numbers is serious, independent journalism has not capitulated but is adapting to the new situation resourcefully.