State TV channels seek to reinforce the perception that the system is stable, and that a strong leader rules the country in a hostile environment, with Russia's support.
This statement was originally published on baj.media on 14 July 2026.
The primary objective of the monitoring is to ascertain and document the occurrence, quantity, content, and form of pro-Russian (including anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian) propaganda in the leading Belarusian state-owned television media. Access the BAJ analysis
BRIEF CONCLUSIONS:
1 . The structure of news programs on the analyzed television channels has remained largely unchanged compared to the previous year. Through routine “official” discourse, television channels seek to reinforce the perception that the system is stable and normal. In this system, a strong leader rules the country in a hostile environment, with Russia’s support.
2. The core of television broadcasting dedicated to domestic issues consists not of events but of reports, directives, production-related stories, and ritualized activities.
A significant portion of the events discussed in the news is related the outside world, particularly “hostile” Western countries. There, crises and protests are unfolding, economic conditions are deteriorating, and militarization is increasing, alongside disputes over Greenland and Ukraine. A few years ago, the dominant narrative was that “Europe is the enemy.” Now, however, there is more talk of “the decline of Europe.” Europe is seen as technologically weak, dependent on the United States, and lacking resources.
3. Nevertheless, the formation of an external enemy image remains a major focus. The enemy is the West, including the unfriendly neighbors Poland and Lithuania. The West is building up its military potential and is allegedly posing a threat to Belarus and Russia. However, the phrase “collective West” is used much less frequently now than it was in the early 2020s.
Against this backdrop, the Belarusian state is portrayed as a nation that must bolster its defense solely to protect its borders (and those of the Union State) and maintain peace.
The militarization of news discourse intensified after January 26, when Belarus began assessing the combat readiness of its military units and formations. The main narrative was the assertion that the president has direct control over the military’s combat readiness. At the same time, military terminology and stylistic features have entered everyday discourse. For example: “The new governor begins his work in combat conditions” (from an ONT report on economic issues in the Vitsebsk Region).
4. Against the broader backdrop of narratives about a hostile West in Belarusian television news, the portrayal of the United States — and particularly President Donald Trump — becomes ambivalent. While publicly reproaching the United States for “inciting” conflicts and imposing sanctions on TV, the official Minsk seeks to reset a Belarusian-American dialogue. Trump (sometimes in the same story) appears as both an eccentric representative of hostile Western politics and a “tough manager” who knows what he wants and how to get it. The trend of singling out Donald Trump was evident as early as 2025, following his election as president.
5. Trump’s reputation as a “relatable strongman” is, to a certain extent, being used to justify Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s actions and elevate his status.
6. There were significantly fewer narratives about political emigration than in previous monitoring periods. The term “fugitives” was used less frequently.
7. Compared to previous years, there were fewer news stories about the war in Ukraine and less anti-Ukrainian propaganda overall (except on the Belarus 1 TV channel). Stories demonizing or belittling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have almost disappeared, a change from last year. At the same time, the war is almost always referred to as the “Ukrainian conflict,” or the “special military operation” (SMO), and the Russian invasion is excluded from the discussion. The SMO was frequently referenced in stories about combat readiness inspections (e.g., “SMO experience is taken into account”).
Virtually no substantive stories have been aired about the progress of the fighting, casualties, refugees, or the war’s humanitarian consequences.
8. On TV, the Russian Federation is presented as Belarus’s main economic partner and a sister country with which it shares a history and culture. Most importantly, Russia is its main military ally.
However, the number of overtly pro-Kremlin narratives in Belarusian state TV news programs has noticeably decreased. References to President Putin are minimal, if any; the segments feature only a few speakers from Russia, such as politicians and experts.
It should be noted, however, that before each national news broadcast, the ONT channel airs a block of Russian news from Channel One. This is not just Russian-oriented content, but content produced in Russia. Channel One’s news programs are broadcast on ONT throughout the day, with four to five newscasts. Russian programs account for more than 50% of primetime programming on the leading Belarusian news channels (see Chart 1. Percent comparison of the duration of Russian-produced TV programs aired in prime time in 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, and 2026).
“Loyalty to an ally is most clearly demonstrated by replicating its consistent geopolitical mindset — opposing the West and NATO’s actions,” the monitors note.
9. Meanwhile, one of the main narratives is about Belarus’s self-sufficiency and its important role in the new world order. The narrative claims that life is better in Belarus and that the Belarusian approach to state-building has proven efficient. It also claims that sanctions are ineffective and that Belarus is recognized on the global stage.
The domestic news block focuses primarily on the economy, including production, import phase-out, and cooperation with foreign partners. Discipline is promoted as the foundation of public administration and public order.
Stories about patriotic education of youth, historical memory, and the Great Patriotic War regularly appear.
10. As in previous years, Aliaksandr Lukashenka is considered the guarantor of the state’s stable development. His cult of personality continues to strengthen. He is portrayed as an indispensable leader of the Belarusian people, capable of addressing all issues and maintaining order across all spheres — from military readiness to livestock losses and street lighting — as well as a significant international actor (for example, Trump inviting Lukashenka to join the Board of Peace).
