Swaying public opinion by English-language media. Case study of the “green” agenda

Aim . To study the manipulative techniques used by British and American quality media to form certain attitudes towards ecological and climate issues. Methodology . Both general scientific methods and those of linguistics were used in the course of the research including cognitive linguistics methods such as conceptual and contextual analysis and the analysis of the cognitive metaphor selected with continuous sampling method. Results . In course of the research such manipulative techniques as persuasion, suggestion and intimidation were singled out and described. Such manipulative techniques as the cognitive metaphor and the creation and adjustment of the concept CLIMATE CHANGE as a constituent of the shared worldview were analysed. Research implications . The research contributes to the study of the discourse of the media as well as manipulation through language, the cognitive metaphor and conceptual analysis.