Abstract: The article examines the dominant methods of information gathering, communicative strategies and tactics, as well as the ethical and legal aspects represented in Boris Sobolev’s television journalistic investigations. The empirical basis of the study includes the following TV projects: «Special Correspondent: At the Bottom of Knowledge – 1» (2008), «Special Correspondent: At the Bottom of Knowledge – 2» (2012), «Crowned Individuals» (2013), «Special Correspondent: At the Bottom of Knowledge – 3» (2015), «Special Correspondent: At the Bottom of Knowledge – 4» (2016), and the trilogy of investigations «Those Going to the Devil» (2017, 2019). These selected investigations allow us to trace the author’s creative evolution and draw conclusions about the dominant features of his individual style. The aim of the study is to identify and describe the dominant methods of information gathering, as well as the pragmatic‑stylistic and ethical‑legal specificity of the media texts presented in the empirical material. The research methodology relies on general scientific methods (description, analysis, comparison, systematisation of empirical material) and specific scientific techniques (pragmatic‑stylistic, methodological, and ethical‑legal analysis of media texts). The first part of the article provides an overview of theoretical works that are essential for the study, defines key terms, and demonstrates approaches to classifying the phenomena under consideration. The second part offers a detailed characterisation of the frequent methods of information gathering (from classical to author‑specific ones) that are objectified in the analysed media projects. The dominant communicative strategy (the strategy of exposure) is identified and described, along with the communicative tactics that implement it (argumentation, discreditation, comparison, nomination, mockery, and attacking with questions). These tactics help the author achieve his goals and shape his individual style. Conclusions are drawn regarding the ethical and legal specificity of Boris Sobolev’s journalistic investigations. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the genre of journalistic investigation, as represented in contemporary media practice, from the perspective of communicative, pragmatic, stylistic, methodological, and ethical aspects.

Abstract: The article examines the formation and representation of Alexander Pushnoy’s media image, identifying its dominant features: science populariser, expert, experimenter, showman, and musician. These traits manifest across diverse discursive practices. The study’s relevance stems from the growing influence of visual media and digital platforms, which have turned the media image into a key tool for shaping audience perceptions of public figures. Analyzing its construction mechanisms helps understand how media shape public image and what strategies ensure its sustainability. Empirically, the research draws on A. Pushnoy’s own media texts (episodes of Smart Home, Rock Is Alive, Russian Rock Is Alive, Science in Shock; posts/comments from the Telegram channel Pushnoy HOT DED); 30 online media publications (2024–2025); 10 commercial videos featuring Pushnoy. Methodologically, the study combines general scientific methods (observation, description, classification, systematisation, interpretation) with thematic, speech‑genre, pragmatic, and content analysis. Scientific novelty lies in providing a holistic analysis of a mass‑media personality’s image; examining the media image as a multidimensional phenomenon (via a broad corpus of texts), accounting for both verbal and extralinguistic aspects.
The research traces Pushnoy’s media image evolution from his student years and early TV work to his current popular‑science programmes and personal projects. Key findings: Science in Shock and Smart Home activate all facets of Pushnoy’s media image; musical shows (Rock Is Alive, Russian Rock Is Alive) emphasize the musician persona; commercial discourse highlights the expert, science popularizer, showman, and musician traits; the Telegram channel Pushnoy HOT DED foregrounds the musician and showman images. The dominant speech strategy in Pushnoy’s media texts is educational‑entertainment, supported by: attention‑grabbing and retention strategies, dialogic strategy, various speech tactics. Finally, the primary secondary speech genre in Pushnoy’s media output is the mediated conversation with the addressee.

Abstract: The subject of the study is the pragmastilistic specifics of the genre of investigative journalism, considered on the example of newspaper publications by Yu. Shchekochikhin. The empirical base of the study includes investigative journalism by Yu. Shchekochikhina, united by a common theme, is the emergence and development of organized crime and the mafia in the USSR and post–Soviet Russia, published in Literaturnaya Gazeta: "The lion jumped!", "The Lion jumped: a look from across the ocean", "Under the control of the mafia", "Lion hunting, or shadow fight", "Gurov left... did the lion eat?", "Alien", "Hello, dear mafia", as well as investigations released on on the pages of Novaya Gazeta: "Life is good for those who fight the mafia," "Lev jumped into the 21st century. They're already in uniform". The research uses general scientific methods: observation, comparison, description, systematization of empirical material, as well as the methodology of pragmatic text analysis. The relevance and scientific novelty of the research is seen in the fact that at present the genre of investigative journalism is in demand, the true edge format, which is genetically derived from the designated genre, has gained particular popularity. However, the study of the historical context of this genre, its foundations and basic features is important and promising. Moreover, the research of investigative journalism by Yu is not presented in the works of Russian scientists. Yu. Shchekochikhin from the point of view of their detailed pragmastilistic analysis. Most of the works are devoted to the study of the journalistic skills of Yu. Shchekochikhin, although these studies are fragmentary, there are still no fundamental monographic works devoted to the author's journalistic activities. The study revealed genre-forming features of investigative journalism, identified dominant communication strategies and tactics objectified in publications Yu's Shchekochikhina.

Abstract: In the modern media field, new formats implemented in the Internet space are gaining more and more popularity. Convergent processes generate new forms of media content. One of these phenomena is the audio podcast, which is currently not sufficiently studied, many aspects need scientific reflection. In particular, the speech-genre specificity of audio podcasts is of research interest. The object of the undertaken research is educational audio podcasts presented on the platform Smotrim.ru ("100 Minutes" – 26 issues, "Literary squabbles" – 11 issues, "Conversations about literature" – 14 issues, "Diary of his Wife" – 11 issues) and Polka.academy ("Between the lines" – 17 issues), published from 2021 to 2024. The purpose of the article is to identify and describe the basic secondary speech genre, representing its primary speech genres objectified in the media texts under study. To achieve the stated goal, both general scientific research methods and private techniques used in media linguistics and media stylistics are used – comparison and interpretation of linguistic facts, speech-genre analysis of media texts. The study of media texts in the context of speech genre studies is relevant and promising, since this research paradigm allows us to identify and describe the basic structural elements of the genre, communicative specifics, intentions and roles of the addressee, to determine the linguistic and stylistic originality of the represented texts. The article presents various points of view on the phenomenon of audio podcasting, formulates its definition, which takes into account not only the technical properties of audio podcasts, but also their content specifics, provides classifications of audio podcasts, systematizes approaches to understanding and researching speech genres, identifies and characterizes the basic secondary speech genre of informative conversation, as well as dominant primary speech included in its structure genres.