Transforming the public sphere to achieve interethnic harmony in the region

The study examines the political public sphere as a tool for achieving interethnic harmony and civil consolidation. The public sphere is regarded as a necessary space for molding public opinion that affects political decision-making. At the same time, the emphasis is placed on present-day changes related to the ever-increasing tendency to shape public opinion through virtual mediation of the public sphere. The content analysis of local mass media reveals the characteristics of the discourse of interethnic and interfaith relations in the region by a case study of the city of Surgut, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. An attempt is made to determine the role of local media in developing state and regional identity to promote interethnic and interfaith harmony. The relevance of the study is due to the need to reflect on the causes of the crisis of public policy, for example, the problems of interethnic relations.