Infographics of the Crisis Agenda: COVID-19 in Russian News Agencies

Authors

  • Natalia S. Avdonina Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov
  • Tatyana V. Skokova The Kosygin State University of Russia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-7451-2026-45-2-217-225

Keywords:

infographics, visual journalism, media text, perception, data visualization, content analysis

Abstract

In crisis situations (exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic), media face the need to promptly inform the public under conditions of rapidly changing data and high uncertainty. Infographics as a multimodal format of visual journalism can potentially address this challenge. Despite numerous theoretical works on the classification and functions of infographics, there is a lack of empirical research that could reveal which thematic, structural, functional, and technical characteristics of infographics actually dominate in the practice of Russian news agencies within a crisis agenda. This study aims to apply the existing classification of infographic characteristics to the COVID-19 infographics produced by TASS and RIA Novosti (November 2020 – November 2021), to determine which of these characteristics and to what extent are realized under a crisis agenda, and to identify the dominant types of visualization and narrative. A content analysis of 26 infographic items (full sample) was conducted using operationalized categories: topic, subject of representation, narrative type, interactivity (browser testing), data visualization types, and functions. Coding was performed by two authors (multi-coder design). The dominant topic is health and medicine (76.9%, 20 items). Linear narrative prevails (92.3%, 24 items). All infographics are static; interactivity (filtering, clicking, hovering) is absent. The most common visualization types are iconic signs/pictograms (76.9%) and text lists/tables (53.8%). The informational and illustrative functions are realized in 100% of the sample, the cognitive function in 92.3%, and the persuasive function in 35.7% (TASS) and 25% (RIA Novosti).

Author Biographies

Natalia S. Avdonina, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov

Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor
Arkhangelsk, Russia
E-mail: n.avdonina@narfu.ru

Tatyana V. Skokova, The Kosygin State University of Russia

Candidate of Philological Sciences, Senior Lecturer
Moscow, Russia
E-mail: Skokova-tv@rguk.ru

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Avdonina, N. S., & Skokova, T. V. (2026). Infographics of the Crisis Agenda: COVID-19 in Russian News Agencies. Issues in Journalism, Education, Linguistics, 45(2), 217-225. https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-7451-2026-45-2-217-225

Issue

Section

Journalism and public relations