Comparative analysis of the representation of Russia in the media discourse of the USA and South Africa

The article is dedicated to comparative analysis of the representation of Russia in the media discourse of the United States and South Africa, taking into account the political, economic, and cultural differences between these countries. The study focuses on the linguopragmatic characteristics used in American and South African media texts to represent Russia. The goal of the study is to identify and compare the linguistic and discursive features of the representation of Russia in the media landscapes of the USA and South Africa that shape the perception of Russia in these countries. The relevance of the study lies in the key role of mass media in shaping public opinion and international perception, particularly in the context of complex geopolitical relations. The article emphasizes the analysis of evaluative language means used to form the image of Russia. The methodological basis of the study includes content analysis, discourse analysis, and comparative analysis. The study material consists of news articles and analytical publications from leading American and South African mass media from 2022 to 2025. Within this study, evaluative language is analyzed at multiple levels (lexical, grammatical, and stylistic), allowing for the identification of a broad range of language means used to express positive or negative attitudes toward Russia. The scientific novelty of the research lies in its comparative analysis of evaluative strategies in shaping the image of Russia in the media discourse of the United States and South Africa. The study results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the formation of media image of Russia and help develop practical recommendations for improving communication strategies and countering negative stereotypes about Russia. These insights can be applied in state policy, media communications, and education. The conclusions may be of use for specialists in linguistics, media studies, political science, and international relations who are interested in fostering a positive and objective media image of Russia.