Media Reality as a Component of Colonial Discourse (Based on the Example of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Zaporizhzhia Region)

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to examine the role of media reality in the dissemination of Russian colonial discourse in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Research methodology. The following methods were applied in the course of the study: systematization, analysis, and synthesis, as well as discourse analysis of the propaganda materials from the so-called occupational media of the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region, focusing on the spread of colonial discourse. For analysis, excerpts from the newspapers Zaporozhsky Vestnik and Komsomolskaya Pravda (print publications distributed in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region) from the summer of 2024 were selected.

Results. The article examines the influence of media on the spread of colonial discourse implemented by occupiers and collaborators in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region. It was found that media reality, as a specific virtual space, is one of the leading tools for spreading colonial discourse due to its strong influence on shaping public opinion. The analysis of the sources shows that the following elements are used in media practices to implement colonial discourse: the instrumentalization of language and the dissemination of narratives that legitimize colonial practices and contribute to the «elevation» of the colonizers over others; the consolidation of ideas of «otherness» concerning the inhabitants of the captured regions, promoted through stereotypes and frequent repetition of the same ideas; emphasis on the processes of assimilation occurring in society; the introduction of certain social practices and the imposition of colonial governing institutions (e.g., the education system); visual images and symbols that help establish the colonizers’ role as protectors; changes in toponyms in the captured regions, and so on.

Novelty. First and foremost, the novelty of the study is manifested in its local focus, as the article focuses on specific territories of Zaporizhzhia region where the occupiers' publications, such as Zaporozhsky Vestnik and Komsomolskaya Pravda, are published. This allows the author to make a unique contribution to understanding the local specifics of the information war waged by the occupation authorities. In addition, this study explores media reality as a means of colonizing discourse, analyzing the ways in which propaganda influences the formation of public opinion and identity. The review of such methods as linguistic instrumentalization, narratives of «otherness» and toponym changes is a rather innovative approach in research on decolonization and information warfare. Thus, the novelty of the article lies in the combination of a local approach, a comprehensive analysis of media reality, and the practical significance of the research results for counterpropaganda and information security of Ukraine.

Practical significance. The results of the study of media reality in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region will help better understand how informational tools are used to shape public opinion and manipulate the consciousness of the population. This can be useful for developing effective countermeasures in the fight against propaganda and for reintegrating citizens in the temporarily occupied territories. Additionally, the conclusions of the article can assist governmental bodies and experts in the field of information security in developing strategies to counter disinformation and propaganda in the occupied territories, which is critically important for protecting Ukraine’s national interests.

Key words: propaganda, colonial discourse, media reality, information warfare, temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region, media literacy, critical thinking, identity, decolonization, narratives.