Telegram isn't just another messaging app. In places where the news is censored, silenced, or controlled, it's become the lifeline for truth. By 2025, over 1 billion people use Telegram monthly, and in regions like Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, it's the primary way people get real-time news. Not from TV. Not from newspapers. From channels run by ordinary people who turned their phones into newsrooms.
How Telegram Became the Default News Network
Telegram launched in 2013, but its real power didn’t kick in until 2015, when channels were introduced. Unlike groups, where anyone can talk, channels let one person or team broadcast to unlimited subscribers. That’s the key. No algorithms. No ads shoved in your face. Just raw, unfiltered updates - text, photos, videos up to 2GB, polls, even Stories. And because Telegram doesn’t rely on centralized servers, it’s hard to shut down. Channels can mirror themselves across different accounts, bounce back after government takedowns, and keep running even when the internet is cut off. In Belarus, NEXTA survived three government bans by switching channel IDs and keeping the same audience. In Iran, Amad News operates with 1.8 million subscribers despite being officially blocked. In Ukraine, the channel War in Ukraine hit 1.2 million subscribers during the first year of conflict, delivering updates faster than any official press release. These aren’t outliers. They’re the new normal.Who Are the Real News Gatekeepers?
The people running these channels aren’t always journalists. Some are students. Others are ex-police officers, former broadcasters, or just citizens with a smartphone and a sense of duty. What they have in common is deep local knowledge and the ability to move fast. In Brazil, Fiquem Sabendo grew to 1.5 million subscribers by sticking to verified facts during political chaos. In India, channels like Delhi Updates and Mumbai Live became trusted sources during the 2024 elections - even though 47% of users there reported running into fake news elsewhere on Telegram. The difference? These channels cross-check sources, name their references, and correct mistakes publicly. The most successful ones don’t try to cover the whole country. They zoom in. Kyiv Frontline Updates has 387,000 subscribers because it only talks about what’s happening in and around Kyiv. A channel in rural Mexico that reports on local water shortages or police raids will outperform a national news channel because it’s hyper-relevant. Trust isn’t built by big names. It’s built by consistency, accuracy, and showing up when no one else does.Why Telegram Beats WhatsApp, Signal, and Twitter
You might think WhatsApp Channels would be the natural successor. But it’s capped at 512 members per broadcast list. Signal? Groups max out at 1,000. Twitter? It’s flooded with ads, shadowbans, and content moderation that often silences dissenting voices in authoritarian states. Telegram’s edge? Scalability without sacrifice. A single channel can have 10 million subscribers. Messages load in under 0.2 seconds. It works on old Android phones and low-bandwidth networks. Engagement rates on news channels hit 15-25% in Eastern Europe - compared to 3-8% on Twitter. That’s not just popularity. That’s reliability. And monetization? It’s growing. Telegram lets channels with over 1,000 subscribers earn 50% of ad revenue from its own ad platform. In Latin America, 55% of news channels use paid subscriptions. In Southeast Asia, most rely on promoting their Telegram channel on Instagram or TikTok to drive growth. It’s not perfect - but it’s working.
The Dark Side: Misinformation and Impersonation
Telegram’s openness is its strength - and its weakness. There’s no built-in fact-checking. Anyone can create a channel with a blue checkmark (introduced in 2023), and many do. Fake channels impersonate real ones, spreading panic during disasters or pushing political propaganda. In 2024, a fake Telegram channel in India claimed a major dam had burst. Thousands rushed to evacuate. The truth? It was a doctored video. The channel had 420,000 followers. It took 11 hours for authorities to shut it down. The Atlantic Council’s DFRLab found 217 state-backed Telegram channels spreading disinformation across 12 countries in early 2025. Russia, China, and Iran all use the platform to flood regions with fake narratives - especially during elections or protests. In Iran, state-aligned channels mimic independent ones, using similar names and logos to trick users. Verification helps, but it’s not foolproof. Telegram’s blue checkmark only confirms identity - not truth. A verified channel can still lie. And in places like Myanmar or Sudan, where internet access is spotty, users often don’t know which channel is real until it’s too late.How to Map a Regional Telegram News Ecosystem
Mapping these influencers isn’t about finding the biggest names. It’s about understanding the network. Start here:- Identify the region’s dominant languages and scripts. Cyrillic? Farsi? Thai? You can’t find channels if you can’t read them.
- Look for cross-promotions. If Channel A shares a post from Channel B, and Channel B shares from Channel C, you’ve found a chain of trust.
- Check growth patterns. Channels that spike suddenly after a protest or natural disaster are often grassroots. Those that grow slowly and steadily are likely professional.
- Use tools like TGStat, which tracks over 5.7 million public Telegram channels. Filter by region, language, and subscriber growth rate.
- Verify the source. Does the channel cite documents? Name sources? Correct errors? Or does it just repost viral videos with no context?
The Future: Trust Scores and Government Crackdowns
Telegram isn’t standing still. In February 2025, it launched Verified News Partners - a program that gives 1,200+ professional outlets priority support and protection from takedowns. In Q3 2025, it plans to roll out a ‘News Trust Score’ - an algorithm that ranks channels based on fact-checking partnerships and user reports. But governments are fighting back. Russia fined Telegram $2.3 million in early 2025 for refusing to hand over encryption keys. India passed a law requiring news channels with over 50,000 subscribers to register with the government. In Egypt and Nigeria, authorities are pressuring telecom providers to block Telegram during protests. The real question isn’t whether Telegram will survive. It will. The question is whether its users can tell truth from manipulation. As Maria Ressa, Nobel laureate and journalist, said: “Telegram has become the oxygen for independent journalism.” But as UCLA’s Dr. Sarah Roberts warned: “It’s also the perfect breeding ground for disinformation.”What This Means for You
If you’re a researcher, journalist, or activist - you need to know who’s talking in your region. Don’t assume the biggest channel is the most reliable. Look for the ones that update daily, cite sources, and admit when they’re wrong. Follow the networks, not just the names. If you’re building a community or running a media project - don’t ignore Telegram. Even if you’re not in a repressive country, people still use it for speed and privacy. Start small. Post updates. Link to verified sources. Build trust slowly. And if you’re just a regular user? Be skeptical. Check the channel’s history. Look at comments. See if others are questioning what’s posted. Don’t share until you’re sure. Telegram didn’t invent journalism. But it redefined how it spreads. And in a world where truth is under attack, that matters more than ever.How do I find reliable Telegram news channels in my region?
Start by searching in your local language using Telegram’s search bar. Look for channels with consistent posting habits, clear sourcing, and a history of corrections. Check if they’re linked by other trusted channels. Use tools like TGStat to see subscriber growth and engagement. Avoid channels with no profile picture, no bio, or sudden spikes in followers.
Can Telegram channels be trusted during emergencies?
They can - but only if you verify. During the 2024 Pakistan floods, Telegram delivered updates 8-12 minutes faster than TV or radio. But fake channels also spread false evacuation orders. Always cross-check with official government or humanitarian accounts. If a channel claims to be from a known organization, search for their official website and see if they list their Telegram channel.
Why do some Telegram news channels have millions of subscribers but no verification badge?
Telegram’s verification badge (blue checkmark) only confirms identity - not credibility. Many trusted channels choose not to apply for it because they fear government targeting. Others simply don’t meet the eligibility criteria. A channel with 2 million subscribers and no badge can still be more reliable than a verified one that reposts rumors.
Are Telegram news channels legal?
It depends on the country. In democratic nations, they’re legal. In places like Russia, Iran, and China, operating a news channel without government approval is illegal. Many channels operate in legal gray zones - using mirror accounts, VPNs, or offshore hosting to stay alive. Their legality doesn’t determine their usefulness. Many people rely on them because there’s no other option.
How do Telegram news channels make money?
Most earn through Telegram’s ad revenue share - they get 50% of ad money from posts shown to their subscribers. Others use paid subscriptions via third-party tools like InviteMember. Some promote affiliate links, sell merch, or redirect followers to Patreon or YouTube. In Southeast Asia, many rely on cross-promotion - directing their audience to Instagram or TikTok where they monetize differently.
What’s the biggest risk of using Telegram for news?
The biggest risk is not knowing what’s real. Telegram has no algorithm to surface trusted content. You have to find it yourself. Misinformation spreads fast - especially during crises. A single false report can cause panic, violence, or even death. Always pause before sharing. Look for multiple sources. Ask: Who said this? Where’s the proof? What’s missing?
