Russia and BRICS+ in the media discourse of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates
https://doi.org/10.21453/2311-3065-2025-13-3-61-75
Abstract
The article is devoted to the study of the representation of Russia in the mass media of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in the context of discussions around the BRICS+ format. The research problem lies in the insufficient exploration of the specific peculiarities of Russia’s media image formation within the BRICS+ framework in countries that occupy different positions in relation to the association — as a full member (UAE) and as a potential participant (Turkey). The empirical base of the study consists of materials published on the official websites of Hürriyet, Anadolu Agency, Al Arabiya, Khaleej Times, The National, and Gulf News during the period from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The chronological scope is determined by Russia’s BRICS+ chairmanship. The study is structured around research questions that serve to achieve the stated purpose. Methodologically, it employs comparative content analysis with elements of sentiment analysis; the model comprises five criteria: thematic distribution, actor personalization, publication tonality, presence of evaluative judgments by authors, and inclusion of quotes from official representatives. The results reveal both common elements of media representation and divergences shaped by national and institutional characteristics of the respective media systems. Based on these results, the article outlines possible directions for optimizing public communication strategies aimed at ensuring a sustainable presence in the media agenda and increasing the manageability of tonality.
About the Authors
A. K. Polyakov
St. Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Polyakov Alexander Konstantinovich – CandSc (Polit.), lecturer at the Department of Digital Media Communications
199034, St. Petersburg, Universitetskaya emb., 7/9
I. M. Chirkov
St. Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chirkov Igor Mikhailovich – graduate student
199034, St. Petersburg, Universitetskaya emb., 7/9
P. V. Veremeeva
St. Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Veremeeva Polina Vadimovna – graduate student
199034, St. Petersburg, Universitetskaya emb., 7/9
References
1. Bogdan E.N. (2007). Media Image of Russia as a Concept of Journalism Theory. Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 10: Journalism. No. 4. P. 122-127 (in Rus.).
2. Dijk T. A. van. (1995). Discourse Semantics and Ideology. Discourse & Society. Vol. 6. No. 2. DOI: 10.1177/0957926595006002006.
3. Gavra D.P., Bykova E.V. (2022). Mediatization and Demediatization in the Digital Environment: The Case of K. Bogomolov’s Conservative Manifesto “The Abduction of Europe 2.0”. Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 10. Journalism. No. 3. P. 60-86 (in Rus.).
4. Hepp A., Krotz F. (2014). Mediatized Worlds – Understanding Everyday Mediatization. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
5. Khochunskaya L.V. (2013). The Phenomenon of Media Image: Social and Psychological Aspect. Bulletin of RUDN. Series: Literary Criticism, Journalism. No. 2. P. 91-95 (in Rus.).
6. Krotz F., Hepp A. (2013). A concretization of mediatization: How mediatization works and why ‘mediatized worlds’ are a helpful concept for empirical mediatization research. European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication. Vol. 3. No. 2. P. 119-134.
7. McCombs M. (1977). Agenda Setting Function of Mass Media. Public Relations Review. Vol. 3. No. 4. P. 89-95.
8. Polyakov A.K., Nigmatullina K.R. (2024). On the Problem of Institutionalization of Social Media. Communicology. No. 1. P. 28-37 (in Rus.).
9. Rysaeva A.E. (2025). 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan: Reaction of the Foreign Audience. Economy and Society. No. 6-1 (133). P. 1326-1332 (in Rus.).
10. Salamatov V.Yu., Tangaeva A.V., Zharkova A.A. (2025). BRICS Expansion 2024: Financial Sovereignty in Promoting Trade Integration. Russian Foreign Economic Bulletin. No. 6. P. 7-23.
11. Vartanova E.L. (2024). National Media in the Context of Deglobalization: Alternative Experience of BRICS. Medi@lmanakh. No. 3. P. 8-16 (in Rus.).
12. Vartanova E.L., Dunas D.V. (2024). Dynamics of Development of Russian Media Studies: In Search of National Identity. Medi@lmanakh. No. 5. P. 8-18 (in Rus.).
13. Wodak R. (1994). Critical Linguistics and Critical Discourse Analysis. Handbook of Pragmatics. DOI: 10.1075/hoph.8.04wod.
14. Zharikov M.V. (2025). Priorities of Cooperation within the BRICS+ Platform. Theory and Practice of Social Development. No. 2. P. 96-101 (in Rus.).
Review
For citations:
Polyakov A.K., Chirkov I.M., Veremeeva P.V. Russia and BRICS+ in the media discourse of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Communicology. 2025;13(3):61-75. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21453/2311-3065-2025-13-3-61-75
Views:
9
Email this article 
