Event Media Discourse “The Situation with Telegram” in the Aspect of National Values

The media today largely determine the attitude of the audience to significant events, which, in turn, forms the interpretation of basic sociocultural values. However, the participation of the media in the process of forming public opinion in relation to the bright episodes of the current agenda is poorly studied. The present study is aimed at identifying the key approaches of the Russian media to informing about significant events through the prism of national values. The research material is publications by traditional and new media about the situation related to the arrest of Pavel Durov. The chronological framework of the study is two weeks: August 24 (first incident) — September 7, 2024. Using the textual method and the method of discourse analysis, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the discourse of the event are revealed. The value accents transmitted by the media in the coverage of this event are established. The study reveals a difference in the approach of traditional and new media to informing about the event. Thus, traditional media are active in discussing the topic in the first days after the incident, and then significantly reduce interest in the event. New media (video blogs, telegram channels) continue to discuss the topic throughout the entire research period. The unity in approaches to assessing the event through the prism of values is found in the aspect of the characteristics of the key person involved in the case - Pavel Durov. His personal qualities such as leadership, independence, talent, and efficiency are emphasized. At the same time, the media tries to avoid characteristics related to the personal life of the hero. Unity is also observed in the characterization of the actions of the party that initiated the persecution: extremely negative assessments are characteristic, the injustice of the act is emphasized. The study allows us to conclude that despite quantitative and qualitative differences in indicators, traditional and new media work in a common direction and strive to maintain national values and priorities of the state.