Authors

Discussion

Older people in Belarus who are usually referred to as ‘pensioners’ are considered the most vulnerable and dependent on the state social group. Drawing on a framing analysis of Belarusian mainstream news reports published in 2020, this paper discusses how the media frames the struggles of older people for recognition in this country. The paper demonstrates that to portray the state as the main provider of care, the state-rum media that monopolises the dominant narrative portray the older generation predominantly as vulnerable and dependent whose problems are regularly resolved by the state. However, while the ruling regime does not tolerate any challenges to its authority or critical debate, the representation of the problems the older generation faces often reflect small acts of resistance this group exercises in their struggle for recognition. This paper discussed three modes of resistance portrayed in news stories – the state-sanctioned struggles for recognition, situational resistance and organised protests. Although these acts of defiance do not result in institutional change, they speak about the limitations of power and the role of media in the social production of ageing in authoritarian contexts.