Media and disinformation

Fighting Empire, Weaponising Culture: The Conflict with Russia and the Restrictions on Russian Mass Culture in Post-Maidan Ukraine

by Tatiana Zhurzhenko in Europe-Asia Studies

In response to Russian aggression, the Ukrainian Government banned Russian state television channels, raised the quota for Ukrainian language content on television and radio, and barred many Russian actors and musicians from touring in Ukraine. It also limited the import of Russian books and the broadcasting of Russian films and music.

This essay explores the effect of these restrictions.

Presidential Elections 2018: The Struggle of Putin and Navalny for a Media Agenda

by Anastasia Kazun and Kseniia Semykina in Problems of Post-Communism

In Russia, the mainstream media is largely influenced by the authorities, while the Internet has more freedom.

This study compared the issue agendas of Vladimir Putin and opposition leader Alexey Navalny across traditional and digital media in the run-up to the 2018 presidential election.

Fake News and the Economy of Emotions: Problems, Causes, Solutions

Vian Bakir and Andrew McStay in Digital Journalism

Against the backdrop of the 2016 US presidential election campaign, this study examines the role of our emotions in the spread of fake news.

It proposes solutions for dealing with contemporary disinformation and misinformation.

Visual Mis/disinformation in Journalism and Public Communications: Current Verification Practices, Challenges, and Future Opportunities

by T. J. Thomson et al. in
Journalism Practice

The enormous number of videos and images being produced, the speed of their spread, and the subtle or invisible-to-the-naked-eye nature of deceptive edits make it difficult for journalists to identify and combat visual mis/disinformation.

This study reviews current and potential journalistic image verification practices.

Responses to digital disinformation as part of hybrid threats: a systematic review on the effects of disinformation and the effectiveness of fact-checking/debunking

by Rubén Arcos et al. at Open Research Europe

This paper examines the effects of disinformation on democratic societies, institutions, economies, and international security. It also reviews strategies for dealing with disinformation in these contexts.

A digital territory to be appropriated: the state and the nationalization of cyberspace

by Thanos Koulos at Open Research Europe

This article examines the nationalization of cyberspace. It analyzes state-led institutions and government websites from Greece, the Netherlands, the US, and Israel that aim to enhance national identity and the sense of national belonging in a globalized world.

Featured book chapter

Russia's hybrid aggression against Ukraine

by Yury E. Fedorov in Routledge Handbook of Russian Security

Disinformation and propaganda campaigns are a common method in 'hybrid warfare' – a term that describes a mix of conventional military operations with non-military methods. This chapter exposes the Russian concept of hybrid warfare. It highlights its strategic goals towards Ukraine and outlines the evolution of its war plans from ‘traditional’ to hybrid operations.

Book

Democracy, Populism, and Neoliberalism in Ukraine: On the Fringes of the Virtual and the Real

by Olga Baysha

This book explores the reasons behind the unexpected rise to power of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian with no political background. It offers an in-depth analysis of the populist messages he delivered to the Ukrainian people via his TV show.

Book

Russia Today and Conspiracy Theories: People, Power, and Politics on RT

by Ilya Yablokov and Precious N Chatterje-Doody

The Russian international media outlet Russia Today (RT) has been widely accused in the Western world of producing government propaganda and conspiracy theories. This book explores for the first time the role that conspiracy theories play in the network’s broadcasts.