Hi, you may have heard about the situation in Belarus with election fraud and repression against civil society, as well as the complete destruction of independent media in our country. We are a group of young journalists, hackers, artists, and activists who have faced repression in Belarus. Currently, we are in Poland as political refugees. Having experienced firsthand that freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy—and how easily it can be lost—we have been fighting corruption, disinformation, dictatorship, and censorship in all its forms for over four years. Through our media project, aimed at and about youth, we are striving to make a difference in a world where freedom is increasingly rare. We are united by several important things: a passion for investigative journalism and cutting-edge technology, the realization that we achieve more together than alone, and the conviction that our work can spark positive social change. Drawing on our experience, knowledge, and active civic stance, we tirelessly combat injustice worldwide. We use our expertise for cross-border investigations in collaboration with partners around the globe. Our team members, coming from diverse fields, work together to achieve our goals. Four years ago, ANTIHYPE started as a team of freelance journalists and analysts conducting investigations for international editorial partners. Today, we have evolved into a nonprofit media organization dedicated to strengthening democracy. Since 2020, we have been working to create a better society: through investigative journalism and other formats, we aim to reinforce an open and democratic society threatened by abuses of power, polarization, and corruption. Our editorial team conducts independent research into systemic abuses and exposes unethical behavior. Our journalists take a long-term approach, thoroughly and persistently investigating issues in the public interest. We initiate public discussions, collaborate with citizens on our research, and contribute to societal development. In a world where sexuality is already political and civic activism has become a new subculture, we observe the emergence of youth as a civic force. This applies to a specific segment of youth who have begun to assert themselves publicly. However, it is also evident that the ideas of this progressive youth are starting to resonate with broader groups. This phenomenon cannot be imposed from above or taught—it emerges through shared emotional experiences and a sense of belonging. Young people today have new demands for the world around them, along with new life scenarios that do not directly align with political agendas—and most importantly, new values. We are currently witnessing mobilization around fundamental rights: the right to one’s body, equality, the right to have a voice, and the right to be heard—areas where blatant disregard has been demonstrated. This is significant for different generations with diverse mindsets. The contrast between the performative openness, tolerance, and democracy presented in public rhetoric and the overt disregard for the opinions of those involved in these processes—alongside unmasked pressure on them—has become starkly evident. Any criticism, whether concerning environmental issues, religious institutions, or migration policies, is often perceived as transgressive or even criminal. Youth demands from the media today are greater in diversity, quantity, and quality than any previous generation. Media remains the primary channel through which people engage with ideas necessary for functioning as democratic citizens. Thus, it must be protected and developed. However, the first cracks are already appearing in the monolithic structure of mainstream media. Trust in media is at a historic low, political divisions over fundamental facts are rampant, and half-truths, lies, and propaganda have flooded digital platforms, polluting the news ecosystem. In our view, next-generation media should remind their audiences that we are all simply human beings—with dreams, desires, and passions. This quality helps maintain a less politicized and hierarchical environment. Media could confidently engage with people regardless of their social status, education, experience, or age, openly share challenges on social media, and foster a more conducive atmosphere for meaningful dialogue. We believe this is the most effective way to create emotional connections with audiences and inspire active self-expression. There is no goal more humane than leaving this planet fit for free and fulfilling lives for the next generation. It is said that to achieve true wisdom, one must become a fool in the eyes of worldly wisdom. Every human being is born with an innate understanding of this. But as we grow up, we get caught in the straitjacket of what is considered morality: the world is a big, ugly, dangerous place with serious problems requiring serious minds. We learn to fear mistakes and stop trusting our intuition. We become prisoners of dogma and reason—the weary foes of naivety—and, before we know it, we die long before we are buried. To a child, this notion is nonsense. They haven’t forgotten what it means to be alive: curiosity, wonder, and awe. Uninhibited play and joy. Radical trust and unconditional love. A juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. The thrill of chasing fireflies at dusk. Daydreams and finger painting. We believe in ideas capable of changing the world. Therefore, we strive to create spaces where everyone can discuss these issues and think about how to improve the world. We provide access to the information needed to take action. We are driven by a youthful sense of justice, curiosity, mischief, and a postmodern aesthetic of irony untainted by stereotypes. Our Mission Freedom of speech means freedom from censorship, including hidden censorship, prejudice, hypocrisy, arrogance, lies, and manipulation. It is the ability to ask difficult questions and expect honest, meaningful answers because, in our view, this is what democracy truly entails. Today, even the most outstanding investigative journalism rarely achieves the impact it aims for—public resonance sufficient to drive real change. That’s why we focus on unique content distribution. Outstanding, brave journalists and whistleblowers often risk their lives to expose secrets, yet these vital stories rarely reach the public due to news oversaturation. We address this by making investigations go viral. We seek the most unconventional ways to bring stories to audiences—whether through an episode of a favorite series, a video by a popular blogger, an art auction item, a computer game, a theatrical production, stand-up comedy, or a board game. Whatever it takes to capture attention. For the past four years, we’ve produced groundbreaking investigations and staged provocative media campaigns to make them viral. These bold moves earn us the most valuable resource—people’s attention. We constantly seek new means of expression, making our projects a powerful communicative weapon. This freedom, paradoxically, makes our investigations a unique phenomenon in the world of pop culture and media, where conformity often prevails. Amid this work, we couldn’t ignore the political disorientation and social apathy prevalent among youth. It’s clear that today’s sixteen-year-olds are the world’s future. Yet discussions about youth issues are often monopolized by older generations whose perspectives align with state or market agendas, leaving many areas of life devoid of hope. Meanwhile, youth, marginalized and pushed online, form their worldview through influencers on platforms like TikTok, creating something entirely new. Ignoring or marginalizing this phenomenon leaves older generations out of touch. Today’s youth think broadly and are far more open to experimentation. Young people are forced to seek alternative spaces to consume and spread ideas. Here, valuable ideas might first appear in crude, incoherent, or even dangerous forms. But this is the fundamental principle of democracy—a marketplace of ideas. Much of what youth encounter, driven by curiosity and intuition, will prove invaluable. The paradox of democracy is that the best way to protect it is to challenge it—demanding more through criticism, protest, and dissent. The mobility of our media tactics connects us with the broader movement of migrant culture—a culture of nomadism. Humanity is entering a new era of movement and migration. Historical agents, once settled farmers and urban dwellers, have become migrants, refugees, workers, asylum seekers, and urban homeless. Displaced masses now occupy public spaces designed by the triumphant middle class to celebrate newfound political rights and economic freedoms. These spaces have transformed into new agoras that must be used for statements. Like other migrant media tactics, we use methods that empower the weak against oppressors—by dispersing, decentralizing, and moving swiftly across physical, media, and virtual landscapes. “The hunted must find ways to become the hunter.” What We Stand For Our Work Is Effective It may seem incredible, but today a group of ordinary, determined individuals can investigate the most complex crimes from their computers. They rely on digital traces left in databases, social media, messaging histories, telecommunications metadata, and surveillance cameras. These investigations are made possible through unique skills, innovative tools, and publicly available databases. Our investigations expose abuses of power, aggressive lobbying, the consequences of the climate crisis, and those responsible for exacerbating it. Our fact-checking helps navigate crisis situations. Our work often serves as a starting point for change — and in recent years, we have repeatedly achieved this. With our support, investigators uncover human trafficking networks, identify arms dealers and pedophiles, and expose complex financial crimes. Humanitarian organizations distribute resources more effectively. Prosecutors impose sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Government officials are safeguarded from propaganda and disinformation. We are building a future where public institutions, businesses, and nonprofits can use open-source data for the common good. What We Aim to Achieve In a time when public and private discussions are increasingly pressured by populist propaganda, citizens are learning to value quality journalism as the “fourth estate.” Independent and nonprofit journalism must play a vital role here. ANTIHYPE seeks to redefine journalism. We not only investigate and report but also initiate changes to improve society. Journalism, in its observational and educational role, can and should inform, empower, and encourage citizens to participate. We believe societal problems can be addressed democratically with well-researched information and accurate facts. Through our work, we aim to lay the foundation for constructive public debates about potential solutions to societal challenges. Investigative Journalism at the Core At the heart of ANTIHYPE lies investigative journalism. Journalism plays a critical role in holding power to account in our society. We conduct long-term investigations — for the public interest, with diligence and persistence — to expose systemic abuses, corruption, and unethical behavior. For Everyone As a nonprofit organization, we believe independent journalism should not be locked behind paywalls. Everyone has the right to well-researched information. Our content is free for all so that everyone can contribute. Our goal is to strengthen a democratic civil society. For Independent Journalism Our investigations are free from political and economic influences. Our journalists are guided by the principles of public interest. Our work is transparent and accessible. We independently choose our topics and activities. For Fact-Based Reasoning Facts are the foundation of informed decision-making in a democracy. Deliberate disinformation, false claims, and half-truths foster hate and disrespect in public discourse. We aim to counter these with facts and combat the division of society. Through an independent fact-checking editorial team, we expose disinformation, identify half-truths and rumors, and provide necessary context. For a Strong Democracy Our work advocates for an open and democratic society. Be it tax evasion, illegal party financing, or deliberate false reporting, we aim to expose abuses of power and raise critical issues in public discourse. This is how we drive change through our work. We also strive to ensure that people are well-informed and equipped to participate in discussions. Our work is based on the belief that increased civic participation and dialogue strengthen cohesion in an open society.