{"id":121946,"date":"2025-01-16T10:40:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T07:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/121946\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"propaganda-ignores-pseudo-candidates","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/121946\/","title":{"rendered":"Propaganda ignores pseudo-candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Alaksiej Jakimovi\u010d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government\u2019s propaganda apparatus has largely ignored Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s presidential rivals, despite declarations of support for the long-time Belarusian ruler from all but one of the candidates. The contenders have had the opportunity to address the public through television and radio slots, but otherwise coverage has been heavily skewed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (Vecherny Brest)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aleh Hajdukievi\u010d of the LDP<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Aleh Hajdukievi\u010d, has virtually disappeared from TV and radio talk shows. While he was featured on state television in late October, announcing his candidacy, the appearance was primarily used as a platform to criticize the West, stating he hoped it would \u201cget sick of every single presidential candidate\u201d in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, Hajdukievi\u010d was invited to a talk show on Alfa Radio<\/em>, owned by SB. Belarus Segodnya<\/em>, a media company controlled by \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s administration. However, state-controlled media have not covered him since, except for his designated official TV and radio slots. Furthermore, SB. Belarus Segodnya<\/em> suspended a YouTube show co-hosted by Hajdukievi\u010d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The press office of the House of Representatives has ceased reposting updates from his Telegram channel, which documents his campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the press office of the lower house has continued to promote \u0141uka\u0161enka, including a 40-second advertisement featuring nine members of parliament (MPs) expressing their support for \u201ca peaceful Belarus\u201d alongside their \u201cpresident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, the parliamentary press office covers MPs’ meetings with presidential candidates\u2019 campaign managers but does so without naming the candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siarhiej Syranko\u016d of the CPB<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since January 1, state-controlled media have published all decisions by the Central Election Commission, including the schedules for candidates’ television and radio appearances, as well as the publication of candidates’ manifestos. However, these media outlets have largely ignored the candidates’ campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is particularly strange that while state media websites announced the publication of manifestos in newspapers, they did not quote or feature any of the manifestos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siarhiej Syranko\u016d, from the Communist Party of Belarus (CPB), posted his manifesto on the CPB website on January 9. Despite this, state media ignored his press conference on the same day, with not a single quote cited in their reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russian-controlled Sputnik. Belarus<\/em> and the website tochka.by<\/em>, which claims independence, only reported that Syranko\u016d expressed confidence in \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka dominates coverage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alaksandar Chi\u017eniak, of the Republican Party of Labor and Justice (RPLJ), has received even less media attention than the other candidates, while state media continue to lavish praise on \u0141uka\u0161enka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although \u0141uka\u0161enka has not used his allotted TV and radio slots, claiming he has no time for a formal presidential campaign, his campaign has in fact been underway long before the official start date of January 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On September 17, the government launched the Unity Marathon, a series of rallies and concerts across the country to drum up support for the Belarusian leader. D\u017amitry Krutoj, head of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s administration, and Natalla Ka\u010danava, of the Council of the Republic, are regular speakers at these events. The concerts often feature \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s son, Mika\u0142aj, playing the piano, and Hanna \u0141uka\u0161enka, the wife of another son, is in charge of the Unity Marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers and officials have been holding \u201cinformation days\u201d and \u201cdialogue platforms\u201d \u2014 meetings with voters designed to promote the incumbent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state-funded pop band Pesniary has also joined in supporting the head of state. \u201cOur strength is in unity, in one course, which we will elect together this year on January 26,\u201d the seven band members stated in unison at a pro-\u0141uka\u0161enka rally, according to SB. Belarus Segodnya<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian band Belorusy, famous for their \u201cBallad of the Dictator,\u201d a song of praise for \u0141uka\u0161enka, also regularly performs at these marathon concerts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, state-run media significantly ramped up their promotion of \u0141uka\u0161enka in 2024. Throughout the year, the media portrayed him as the founder of the presidency institution and the modern state of Belarus, framing the three years of democracy before his election as \u201cthe bandit 90s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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