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 pragmaticstylistic and ethicallegal 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 (pragmaticstylistic, methodological, and ethicallegal 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 authorspecific 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.
Violetta Aleksandrovna Egoshkina (Sun,) studied this question.