Linguistic security: anti-vaccination media discourse in the context of axiological worldview transformations

Abstract

We consider the impact of anti-vaccination movement and its substantial value attitudes on social networks users in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is conducted on the materials of the social networks VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Telegram. In total, 2700 publications are analyzed by the method of communicative content analysis through the modeling of quantitative and qualitative data from March 12, 2020 (the beginning of pandemic) to December 31, 2021. When systematizing the results, a general scientific descriptive method is used. Four discursive practices of the anti-vaccination media discourse have been identified, directing users of social networks to perceive a certain aspect of vaccination and suggesting different justification of vaccination resistance strategies. In each discursive practice, the main topics of fake messages are presented, and argumentative models of anti-vaccinators in media texts are also noted. The problem of evaluation and interpretation of facts in the modern media discourse is considered. According to the results of study, the characteristic features of the formed “digital guerrilla media discourse” are formulated, the tools of linguistic security in social networks are designated. In order to protect public health, it is proposed to form programs for the training of new highly specialized professionals, such as “infodemiologist”, where information and biological aspects of public health will be equally taken into account.