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Abstract:

This study discusses the ways the environmental discourse is constructed with an appeal to public opinion in the Kazakhstan news media. The research methodology is based on N. Fairclough's critical discourse analysis and also includes the classification of environmental discourses of J. Dryzek, where he identifies nine specific discourses that shape political efforts aimed at environmental protection. The conceptualization of public opinion is based on five theoretical approaches proposed by W. Donsbach and M. Traugott: the political-normative tradition of J. Habermas, the survey research tradition of G. Gallup, the functional tradition of N. Luhmann and W. Lippmann, the sociological tradition of E. Ross and the social psychological tradition of E. Noelle-Neumann. This set of theories was taken to trace how and in what strategy public opinion representations are implemented in the Kazakhstan news media. The empirical base consists of 100 articles in the Kazakh and Russian languages on the topic of the environment, containing an appeal to public opinion, from 10 local news media (KazInform, TengriNews, Altyn Orda, InBusiness, Forbes Kazakhstan, Azattyk, BaigeNews, InformBuro, Lada, Toppress) published between 2022 to 2023. The main topics covered in the environmental agenda by the Kazakhstan news media were revealed: Water resources, Energy, Waste disposal, Biodiversity, and Heavy industry. Following the described thematic distribution, characteristic environmental discourses were recorded. Thus, Water Resources are based on the discourse of sustainable development, Waste Disposal on the discourse of administrative rationalism, Biodiversity on the discourse of green policy, Heavy Industry on the discourse of limitations and survival, and the topic of Energy on several discourses, including discourses of economic rationalism, environmental modernization, and democratic pragmatism. Further, the main ways of presenting public opinion and the specific types of assessments on each topic are identified. As the results show the dominant strategy for representing public opinion is experts' comments, they are found in all thematic blocks and have ambivalent value judgments. Alternative ways of presenting public opinion, such as online petitions and protest movements, were also fixed, they are reflected in the thematic blocks of Energy and Heavy Industry. The key problem of the research comes from the issue of the instrumentalization of public opinion in the media and its discursive construction within the environmental agenda by the Kazakhstan news media.

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Abstract:

In an era marked by the rapid dissemination of information through digital platforms, the discrepancy between headlines and the actual content of news articles has emerged as a concerning phenomenon. This study investigates the extent to which this inconsistency occurs in online media outlets operating in Kazakhstan and assesses its influence on readers' perceptions and decision-making.

To achieve these objectives, a mixed-methods approach is employed, involving content analysis of news articles from prominent online media sources in Kazakhstan and interview conducted among a diverse sample of readers. The content analysis aims to identify patterns of headline-content inconsistency and its potential causes, while the interview assesses readers' experiences, attitudes, and responses when encountering such discrepancies.

Preliminary findings suggest that headline-content inconsistency is indeed prevalent in online media in Kazakhstan, with various factors contributing to this phenomenon, including sensationalism, clickbait tactics, and editorial oversight. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that such inconsistencies can have a significant impact on readers, leading to decreased trust in media, increased susceptibility to misinformation, and altered perceptions of news events.

Keywords: Headline-content inconsistency, misinformation, online media, Kazakhstan, readers.

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Women journalists in Kyrgyzstan play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse, advocating for gender equality, and challenging societal norms through their reporting and storytelling. This study analyzes the experiences, challenges, and contributions of women journalists in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting their resilience, innovation, and impact on media narratives.

Research indicates that women journalists in Kyrgyzstan face unique challenges in the male-dominated media landscape, including gender-based discrimination, limited access to leadership positions, and safety concerns while reporting on sensitive issues (Spotlight Initiative, 2024).

Despite these obstacles, women journalists have emerged as trailblazers, using their platforms to amplify marginalized voices, shed light on gender inequalities, and advocate for social change. The intersection of gender and journalism in Kyrgyzstan is a dynamic space where women journalists navigate cultural expectations, professional barriers, and personal safety concerns to report on diverse issues affecting women and society at large. Through their investigative reporting, feature stories, and opinion pieces, women journalists bring attention to critical topics such as women's rights, gender-based violence, political participation, and economic empowerment. These efforts have empowered women journalists to challenge stereotypes, advocate for gender justice, and contribute to a more equitable and diverse media landscape. The study also explores the innovative approaches adopted by women journalists in Kyrgyzstan, such as data journalism, multimedia storytelling, to engage audiences and raise awareness about gender issues (UN Women, 2023).

By harnessing the power of digital media and storytelling, women journalists are reshaping narratives, challenging traditional norms, and amplifying voices that are often marginalized in mainstream media. This study analyzes the resilience, creativity, and impact of women journalists in the country by highlighting their contributions to media diversity, gender equality advocacy, and social change, this study underscores the vital role that women journalists play in shaping narratives, challenging stereotypes, and promoting inclusive and equitable media representation in Kyrgyzstan.

Some of the challenges faced by women journalists in Kyrgyzstan include gender-based discrimination, limited access to leadership positions, safety concerns while reporting on sensitive issues, and societal expectations that restrict their roles to traditional domestic roles like obedient wife, homemaker, daughter-in-law, or caring mother (Women Press Freedom, 2024).

Additionally, women journalists in Kyrgyzstan have been subjected to mass raids, interrogations, and detentions by the government in a crackdown on independent media outlets, with allegations of "war propaganda" and inciting "mass unrests" related to their coverage of events such as Russia's war in Ukraine (Women Press Freedom, 2024).