The Image of BRICS in Latin American Media (Cases of Argentina and Mexico)

Abstract

The subject of the study is the image of BRICS in the Argentine and Mexican media. In the modern world, the role of multilateral institutions, including the BRICS group, is increasing. In 2022, Argentina applied to join the BRICS. In the context of the restructuring of the entire architecture of the system of international relations, the development of cooperation with the "Global South", as the leader of which the BRICS is positioned, seems extremely relevant for many countries of the world. In turn, such cooperation is impossible without the formation and strengthening of a positive image of BRICS in developing countries, among which Latin American states play an important role. The research is based on a constructivist methodology, according to which the image of the state or other political actor is a social construct created discursively. The purpose of the article is to identify the specifics of the image of the BRICS in the Argentine and Mexican media. The chronological framework of the study includes the period from 2014 to 2022. Research method: content analysis. The author comes to the following conclusions. Firstly, the image of BRICS in the Argentine and Mexican media is mostly positive. In addition to informational messages, they publish analytical materials in which BRICS is considered as one of the influential actors in global politics. Secondly, the range of opinions and assessments of BRICS in the sources is heterogeneous, which speaks, first of all, about the pluralism of Latin American media. The sources considered pay great attention to Brazil as the only Latin American country that is part of the BRICS, and Argentina as the only Spanish-speaking country that is preparing to become a member of the BRICS.