Monitoring of Kazakhstani media coverage of the victory in World War II

Abstract

The article contains the analysis of media practices for the formation of collective historical memory of the Great Patriotic War in modern Kazakhstani media. Based on the study of special sections and projects dedicated to the anniversary of Victory, authors identified collective memory formation and maintenance mechanisms in four major media platforms. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods within the monitoring the special sections materials. Special emphasis was placed on identifying distinctive and original approaches in the materials typology (news, interviews, documentary mini-films), presentation formats, and dominant techniques used in the commemorative coverage. The analysis revealed key similarities and differences in media strategies, the main motives in the line of materials and limitations in content creation and presentation. Among the most clearly traced correspondences, particular attention was paid to communicative engagement of veterans, which is presented in all the considered media from the earliest periods. At the same time, authors traced differences in editorial policies: from predominantly symbolic and educational directions to the presentation of relevant research. The study demonstrates how modern media reproduce, duplicate and create new content aimed at understanding and covering the historical heritage of Kazakhstan as agents of collective memory formation. The analysis resulted in two main categories of practical recommendations for the technological actualization of content-making processes and involving previously unreached audiences.