ИСТИНА

This article examines how the concept of "British identity" is constructed, contested, and exploited in British mass media, with a focus on The Guardian newspaper. Through a discursive and linguistic analysis, it explores the interplay between socio-political narratives, historical legacies, and media representation. Key themes include the tension between civic and ethnic definitions of Britishness, multiculturalism, post-Brexit identity crises, and the role of language in framing national belonging. Drawing on case studies from The Guardian, the article highlights how media discourse both reflects and shapes evolving notions of British identity, often reinforcing inclusivity while grappling with colonial and racial hierarchies. Linguistic examples illustrate the newspaper’s strategies for negotiating these complexities.