Network content as a factor of information aggression

Abstract

Introduction. The creation of a powerful information and propaganda complex as a result of external aggression by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of eastern Ukraine allows the «DPR» occupation administration to set the necessary information agenda and provide its own interpretation of regional and national events. Relevance of the study. To counteract information aggression, it is important to determine the features of the «DPR» media sphere as a translator of propaganda content. The purpose of scientific intelligence is to study in this aspect the network segment of separatist mass media. Methodology. To achieve this goal, the following methods were used: monitoring, observation, generalization – to outline the characteristics of network media; qualitative, synthetic comparative, critical, expert, content analysis - to determine the features of their content; grouping of disparate data – to clarify the formation specifics of the propaganda content array. Results. During the study period, the creation of a flow of propaganda content on a network basis was characterized by a certain system – the content of each «DPR» Internet resources was aimed at a specific audience: the population in the conflict zone, other regions of Ukraine; citizens of Russia and the near abroad; the international community. Not only the territorial but also the thematic aspect was taken into account. The process of creating a propaganda flow was characterized by processability. The vast majority of the analyzed sites are non-template and user-friendly; there is a possibility of free, unconditionable viewing and copying of any information posted on the sites. Processability can be traced in cases of using «robotic» sites for the formation of anti-Ukrainian content. In general, the «DPR» network resources, declared as «independent sources of information» in terms of objective coverage of the situation in the temporarily occupied Donbass territories, in reality have all the hallmarks of propaganda mouthpieces, and the content they broadcast to the audience is a factor in information aggression development. Conclusions. Further use of the research results is possible to create effective communication structures in order to obtain a strategic information advantage in the region and ensure the full realization of national interests.