Framing Bloody January: a comparative analysis of state and independent media narratives in Kazakhstan

Kap Y. Slamgazhy A.
2026 Routledge

Central Asian Survey
2026

This study draws on framing theory and agenda-setting theory to examine how both state-owned and independent media outlets in Kazakhstan presented the Bloody January event in 2022. In particular, the study seeks to answer the question: ‘How did Kazakhstan’s state and independent media frame the key flashpoints of Bloody January, and what narratives did they promote?’ To address this, the paper employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis of four prominent media outlets. The state-owned sources include Qazaqstan TV (Kaztelradio Corporation) and the Kazakh-language newspaper Egemen Qazaqstan, while the independent outlets analysed are Azattyq.org and Channel 31. Findings show that state media produced nearly twice as much content as independent media during the crisis, contributing to the dominance of official narratives. While state outlets framed protestors as threats to public order, independent media offered more diverse accounts, highlighting issues such as state violence and the government’s use of force.

Bloody January , conflict framing , independent media , Kazakhstan , Qandy Qantar 2022 , state media

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School of Social Sciences, Business and Law, SDU, Almaty, Kazakhstan
School of Creative Industries, Astana IT University, Astana, Kazakhstan

School of Social Sciences
School of Creative Industries

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