Gonzo Media Texts in the Information Space of Ukraine

The article offers various definitions of 'Ukraine’s information space' and highlights its crucial role in national security, particularly in safeguarding the information and psychological well-being of individuals, society, and the state. It delves into the socio-informational nature of gonzo journalism, a novel form of mass media, and examines how it operates within Ukraine’s information landscape. The piece underscores the interconnectedness of gonzo journalism and the information space amid intense anti-Ukrainian information warfare and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. These factors significantly shape the themes, content, and information presented in gonzo journalistic media, which should align with Ukraine’s state-building policies, both domestically and internationally. The study highlights that gonzo journalists operate within a communicative, interactive, perceptual, and emotional sphere throughout their creative process. This is attributed to the unique nature of crafting written, oral, video, and photographic representations of real-world events and phenomena. The analysis delves into gonzo journalistic pieces that seamlessly blend literary and journalistic techniques to portray sociopolitical realities, debunk Russian imperialist narratives, and expose manipulative content and fake news. These works are characterized by strong authorial analysis, explanations, and evaluations. The gonzo journalism of Yanina Sokolova, Bohdan Kutepov and Oleksandr Kovalchuk is examined, showcasing their proficient use of satire, irony, grotesque, and hyperbole to create distinctive works. Their media content is rich in irrefutable evidence and fosters associative and critical thinking. Gonzo journalism has demonstrated its ability to serve a dual purpose: to accurately reflect and actively shape reality. It can faithfully represent the complexities of socio-economic, political, cultural, and educational spheres while simultaneously fostering the development of Ukrainian national identity, civic consciousness, and a commitment to universal moral values. To achieve this, journalists must possess a deep understanding of the historical relationship between Ukraine and Russia, and they must be skilled in analyzing, interpreting, and communicating contemporary domestic and international events across various media platforms.