Vol 28, No 4 (2023): Media and Crisis – Reversible Paradigms

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L.M. Leonov dreamed of becoming an artist and the painter’s talent was embodied in his prose. His landscapes, portraits, portraits against the background of a forest in the tradition of, for example, M.V. Nesterov play an important role in the internal form of his works. The novel “Russian Forest” is indicative in this regard. The purpose of the study is to explain the functions of pictorial allusions and ekphrasis in this novel. The following tasks are solved: identify the most common allusions and ekphrasis in the paintings of Russian artists, which were popular at the time of Leonov painting training, and were subsequently paraphrased in the novel; explain the functions of recognizable paintings by masters of fine art in word painting; argue for the special role of pictorial ekphrasis in the formation of the genre diversity of the novel. As a result, some essential features of the writer’s individual style in the novel under study are clarified: the prose writer’s special attention to the descriptive component of the work makes it possible to assert that his appeal to analogies with fine art is deliberate, since they contribute to the creation of not just a scientific-production or abstract-philosophical novel, but builds a whole series of genre lines, which are supported by recognizable pictorial visualization, on the one hand, and, on the other, forms a deep socio-psychological and lyrical plan of the work. Comparisons of specific paintings transformed into ekphrasis in prose provide scientists with rich material for drawing conclusions about the synthesis of painting and prose.

The aim of the research is to analyze the features and functions of L. Yuzefovich's appeal to Buddhist religious practices in the book “The Autocrat of the Desert. Baron R.F. Ungern-Sternberg and the World in Which he Lived", the novel “Prince of the Wind”, the story “The Murderer” and the poem “Burkhan”. This topic has not previously been in the spotlight of Russian literary criticism, which determines the scientific novelty of this study. The Buddhist practices in the works of Yuzefovich within the framework of the concept of the “Buddhist text” of modern literature are comprehended. The results showed that the writer uses the practice of visualizing a dokshit, or Buddhist protector, appearing in the plot as one of the ways to characterize characters who outwardly coincide with the frightening deity, but internally diverge from him in terms of motivation. Buddhist meditation on impurity reveals in Yuzefovich the problem of the opposition of creative and religious intentions: the hero of the novel “Prince of the Wind” chooses the path of asceticism, closing for himself the possibility of literary creation, which inherently multiplies samsaric images. Meditation associated with the figure of the Bodhisattva of compassion allows the writer to designate in his works a transcendent reality that enlightens the landscape and transforms the suffering world, bringing harmony to the plot of life's tragedy and catastrophe.

Vladimir Mayakovsky’s dramatic heritage has had a great impact on Chinese avant-garde director and playwright Meng Jinghui. The study traces the stages of Mayakovsky’s presence in Chinese theater art to focus on Meng Jinghui’s three productions of “The Bedbug” (2000-2017). The dramatists share the same desire for theatrical innovation and a similar understanding of theater art. However, they have different worldviews and aesthetic approaches. Meng Jinghui modernized the original Russian pretext and turned to some theatrical principles, first stipulated by Vsevolod Meyerhold. His remakes are stylistically original textual interpretations that have gained a prominent place in the modern Chinese avant-garde fringe theater. Meng Jinghui followed Mayakovsky in a number of formal techniques and the overall satirical orientation only to reshape and deconstruct the basic ideas of the original play, thus creating a different temporal and cultural chronotope. Authentic as it may seem, Meng Jinghui creativity results sprouted from a dialogue and polemics with the Soviet poet and playwright.

Historical events and figures tend to escape people’s memory as time goes by. In some cases, they are replaced by popular culture adaptations, e.g., video games, fiction, films, etc. Such adaptations may be beneficial to historical memory, preserving their historical models for posterity. Sometimes, adaptation become part of fictional history. “Fate/Grand Order” is a game released by Type-Moon in 2015 (Japan). Its fictional universe makes an active use of various characters of folklore and history, e.g., Joan of Arc, King Arthur, etc. The aim of the study is to examine the adaptation of Anastasia Romanova in the game “Fate/Grand Order”. The adaptation analysis scheme proposed by Linda Hutcheon, as well as the comparative method to cross-reference dialogs, illustrations, skills, craft essence in the game with photographs and biography of the real Anastasia Romanova were used. It is proved that Anastasia the Duchess of the Permafrost Empire from “Fate/Grand Order” is indeed an adaptation of the real Anastasia Romanova, the fourth daughter of the last Russian Emperor Nicolas II, although somewhat modified to match the traditional imagery of the Japanese popular culture.

The authors discuss both the main approaches in existing media and conflict studies that examine the relationship and interaction between media and conflict, and using theoretical mapping construct the media conflictology as a field of knowledge. The conceptual blocks of media conflictology as an integral field of research are defined and its structure is proposed. Thus, media conflictology as an emerging field of research includes the study of groups involved in media conflict, counting various Internet communities and other subjects of media communication; the stages of conflict represented in the media and the influence of media communication on the “life cycle” of conflict; the totality of the causes of media representation of conflict, with political, ideological and ethno-cultural factors; the analysis of the external context of conflict representation in the media, as well as the national media system, politics and regulation, communication culture and axiological aspects of conflict. A key feature of media conflict studies is the focus of academic attention on media representations and media effects of conflicts, rather than on the conflicts themselves.

Online media is currently grappling with a crisis characterized by diminishing trust, the widespread dissemination of misinformation, and the alarming proliferation of fake news and experiences. The aim of the study - to delve into the challenges plaguing the digital media landscape and to propose the adoption of biometric technology as a potential solution. Biometrics, as a cutting-edge technology, encompasses the intricate process of quantifying and statistically assessing the unique physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish individuals from one another. Its multifaceted potential extends far beyond mere identification. It is established that biometrics excels in the vital realms of identity verification, content authentication, and countering malicious activities like bots and Sybil attacks. Furthermore, it is applicable for tailoring personalized user experiences, thus offering a comprehensive solution to address the pressing challenges faced by online media today. The usage of these capabilities, makes biometrics a distinctive and promising avenue to not only restore trust but also combat the pervasive issue of misinformation, ultimately fostering a secure and resilient online media ecosystem.

The study for the first time endeavours to elucidate the distinct conceptual nuances of AI-driven journalism, exploring how it reshapes the core technological and communicative attributes of the field while influencing societal dynamics. The crisis within AI-driven human-machine interaction in journalism rooted in the essence and processing of information is defined. Despite the paradigm of journalism is rooted in a human-centered approach, its AI-driven paradigm is the same - but in a reversible mode. Journalism involves the translation of personal perspectives and experiences through the filter of memory. Algorithms function without the nuances of personal and social memory, thereby undermining the core principles of the journalistic profession. The loss of genuine, “analog” memory among journalists and their audiences, alongside the digital “memory” of algorithms, jeopardizes the fundamental societal role of journalism-upholding social order. Re-thinking the AI phenomenon as artificial communication, the authors propose the term “artificial journalism”. At the basic technological level it is based on various forms of automation and embedded within digital infrastructures; at the societal level it is designed for the central purpose of journalism and entangled with human practices. Both the levels are reversible. The term could serve as an umbrella term for all the AI-driven journalism activities. Also it removes contradictions not only in human-machine communication but clarify the essence of AI performance in journalism and media studies, and for the users. The emergence of AI-driven media practices opens the basic crisis conceptual contradictions which provokes new realms of research and necessitates the establishment of critical AI media studies.

An empirical study of the visual political communication via Telegram channels during the political crisis in Belarus in 2020 is introduced. The method of qualitative and quantitative content analysis was applied to 625 images and videos retrieved from competing Belarusian Telegram channels during two weeks before and after the election day of August 9, 2020. The results revealed both the general characteristics of the visual political communication in Belarusian Telegram sector and the way opposing political forces used visual content in the period under analysis. The pro-government channels maintained a value-oriented approach, engaging visuals to broadcast Belarusian values and state power symbols. Their visual content involved prominent public and political figures. The opposition channels applied visuals to denounce the authorities and their supporters, as well as to mobilize the opposition-minded Telegram users. They employed a greater variety of visual forms, relying mostly on user-generated content, e.g., live reports from protest sites. Visuals with protesting crowds, casualties, and opposition symbols were aimed at evoking a sense of involvement: they were meant to become triggers for transiting from online activism to actual offline protests.

The research is devoted to the phenomenon of emotional and conflict-generating communication. Pragmatic information was chosen as the object of study, which is based on the intention of implication, the hidden intention of the addresser. The subject of the study is special, provocative speech genres, regarded as tools for presenting pragmatic information, their system and typology. Provocative discourse is considered in the work as a special type of intentional discourse, and provoking is understood as the infection of the interlocutor with the real or imaginary (skillfully imitated) intentional state of the speaker. Provoking, therefore, is a typical example of emotional contagion, emotiogenicity. The material for the analysis was mass communication texts; the body of the study consisted of the headlines of direct mail advertising texts. Two basic provocative genre strategies - confession and concern - are identified, each of which includes, as identifiable elements, the (elementary) provocative genres of confession, presentation, maxim, demonstrative, complaint, advice, notation, reproach, provocative question, propheseme.

With the development of social media and the ease of information dissemination, fake news is becoming a serious problem. The role of media literacy as an antidote to misinformation has been widely studied around the world. In this regard, international organizations such as UNESCO and ASEAN, are helping Asian countries to fight fake news by creating conditions for improving media literacy. The work of these organizations in Indonesia is studied. The qualitative methods of analysis were used. By comparing the two approaches, recommendations were made for other Asian countries to optimize their media literacy efforts. The results showed that UNESCO and ASEAN are working effectively with the target groups in Indonesia. UNESCO has been active in promoting critical thinking among the public and working with local media companies, while ASEAN has focused on regional cooperation and developing comprehensive educational programs. Overall, a systematic and multifaceted approach is needed to raise the level of media literacy in the Asian region, which includes new educational programs, strengthening of legal regulation in the field of false information dissemination, cooperation between the government, media companies and the public, development of critical thinking among the population and increased activity of international organizations.

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During the first decades of the 20th century, many European intellectuals were developing negative responses to modernity. Hermann Hesse was aware of the moral and social difficulties plaguing Europe at that time and dealt with these problems in his writing. Despite being a German author, he is well read even today, and his characters' quests and journeys of self-discovery captivate young people worldwide. This study aims to bring out the relevance of Hesse by analysing the historiography of the studies on Hesse's works and interrogating the significance of different perspectives on him, which will open doors for future studies in health humanities and memory studies. The authors systematically analyse 100 studies on Hesse and his works from journals indexed in the Web of Science. It is concluded that Hesse’s literary world, comprised of novels, poems, and autobiographical reflections, is deeper and bigger than what has been discovered.

The review evaluates the book by literary critic and historian Professor B.V. Sokolov, dedicated to the fate of Soviet writers who associated themselves with the White Movement. The work under review makes an attempt to highlight previously little-known episodes of the participation of writers in the Civil War, who were forced for the time being to hide certain pages of their past. It was found that the restoration of authentic biographies faces methodological difficulties.