Media image of Russia in Kazakh Telegram channels

Abstract

The article is devoted to the assessment of the current media image of Russia in the Telegram channels of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The data sources were information published in Kazakhstani Telegram channels (posts and comments) from 2016 to 2023 and selected according to predetermined criteria. In total, during the specified period, 8333 posts and 35339 comments were recorded for the given markers, which were subjected to further analysis. The information content of Kazakh Telegram channels is overwhelmingly devoted to the review of political events, law, as well as bilateral economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia. Against the background of strong information pressure on Russia from the Western media, the coverage of the media image of Russia in the sphere of trade and economic cooperation by the Kazakh media is in line with traditional cooperation, interaction and good neighborliness. However, starting from 2020, the negative information agenda in Kazakhstani Telegram channels has been demonstrating a steady growth. In particular, the largest increase in negative materials was recorded in 2022 as a reaction to two major events: the January spontaneous protests in the Republic of Kazakhstan (the entry of the CSTO troops into the country by the Russian leadership) and a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine (and, accordingly, the migration of some citizens Russia to the territory of Kazakhstan). Moreover, the negative attitude is directed not to the Russians, as to the civic identity living in this territory, but to the ethnic Russians, as responsible for the current foreign policy events. The growth of a negative assessment of Russia in the Kazakhstani online space may also negatively affect the change in the trend in the perception of Russia among the Kazakhstani population from “own”, towards “other”, or even “enemy”. A gradual change in foreign policy guidelines (growth of trade relations with China, rapprochement with the US and the UK) will only accelerate this trend.