Keywords
media
crisis
communication strategies
full-scale invasion
information security
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. The article examines the issue of crisis communications of Ukrainian online media in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is emphasized that modern media operate in a dual crisis – both military and informational – which increases social vulnerability and requires new approaches to communication strategies.
Relevance and Purpose. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for a theoretical understanding of the role of media in overcoming crisis situations, countering disinformation, and strengthening societal resilience. The purpose of the article is to analyze theoretical approaches to the essence of crisis communications in journalism and to outline their specificity in the Ukrainian information space during wartime.
Methodology. The study is based on a review of scholarly works by Ukrainian and foreign researchers. Methods of analysis and synthesis were applied to systematize academic approaches; the comparative method was used to identify differences in crisis communication concepts; and the descriptive method was employed to represent the results.
Results. The study found that crisis communications represent a complex process of information management under conditions of uncertainty, aimed at minimizing the negative consequences of crisis situations and building trust. Ukrainian media during the war play a key role in countering disinformation campaigns, maintaining public morale, and consolidating society. The main tools of crisis communications include the nationwide television marathon United News, fact-checking initiatives, as well as the use of social media and mobile applications. Despite the relatively high effectiveness of these practices during the crisis, several issues were identified: superficial coverage, deviation from journalistic standards, and audience information overload.
Conclusions. Crisis communications in Ukrainian online media today serve not only as a tool for timely information delivery but also as an element of strategic defense aimed at protecting national interests and countering information aggression. They form part of a broader national security system and therefore require a systemic approach, as well as coordination between media, the state, and the expert community.
References
1. Baranetska, A. D. (2021). Information and communication management: crisis practices. Vcheni zapysky TNU imeni V. I. Vernadskoho. Seriia: Filolohiia. Zhurnalistyka. [Scientific Notes of the V. I. Vernadsky TNU. Series: Philology. Journalism]. vol. 32 (71), no 6, p. 3. pp. 112–119.
2. Bezuglova, V. D. (2022). The place and role of virtual social networks in performing crisis communications: analysis of social practices. Habitus. vol. 41. pp. 38-46. URL: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/habit_2022_41_8.
3. Bezuglova, V. D. (2025) Social media as a tool for communication with the public in crisis situations. Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the specialty 054 Sociology. Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University. Kryvyi Rih. 292 с.
4. Bezuglova, V. (2023). Social media as an element of crisis communication in the context of a pandemic and full-scale war. Informatsiine suspilstvo i Pryroda u fokusi sotsiolohichnoi analityky. [Information society and Nature in the focus of sociological analytics: collective monograph] / edited by A. Lobanova, L. Kalashnikova, I. Grabovets. Kyiv. pp. 173–213.
5. Haiovych, H., Shykhnenko, K., Arekhteichuk, O. (2023). Crisis communication: foreignexperience and realities of ukraine. Naukovyi visnyk: Derzhavne upravlinnia [Scientific Bulletin: State Administration]. no. 2 (14). pp. 134–161.
6. Grabovets, I., Chernous, L. (2023). Communicative strategies of the media during the war: changing styles and goals. Informatsiine suspilstvo i Pryroda u fokusi sotsiolohichnoi analityky. [Information society and Nature in the focus of sociological analysis: collective monograph] / edited by A. Lobanova, L. Kalashnikova, I. Grabovets. Kyiv. pp. 129–151.
7. Husak, O. (2021). Crisis information management of the organization: theoretical aspects. Osvita rehionu. [Regional education]. no. 4. URL: https://social-science.uu.edu.ua/article/676.
8. Dzyana, G. Dzyaniy, R. (2022). Communication management in crisis situations. Dniprovskyi naukovyi chasopys publichnoho upravlinnia, psykholohii, prava. [Dnipro Scientific Journal of Public Administration, Psychology, and Law]. Dnipro. no. 2. pp. 13–21. https://chasopys-ppp.dp.ua/index.php/chasopys/article/view/184/161
9. Informing the population in crisis conditions. Involving community residents in reconstruction processes: a manual for local governments / experts of the PROSTO project "Supporting the availability of services in Ukraine". (2023). 156 p. URL: https://decentralization.ua/uploads/library/file/901/PROSTO_Manual_Informing_residents_in_a_crisis_book_web_16112023.pdf
10. Kalashnikova, L. V., Chernous, L. S., Bezuhlova, V. D. (2024). Mobile applications as a tool for crisis communications: effectiveness of use in war conditions. Aktualni problemy filosofii ta sotsiolohii. [Current problems of philosophy and sociology]. pp. 127-134. http://apfs.nuoua.od.ua/archive/48_2024/22.pdf
11. Kovalova ,T., Tokar, Y., Koloduch, Y. (2024). Counteraction information threatsin the context of the russian-ukrainian war: the role of the PA «Detector media». Obrii drukarstva. [Horizons of printing]. no 1 (15). pp. 162–174.
12. Konyk, D. (2020). Community trust: crisis communications of local government bodies: practical manual. Kyiv. 70 p.
13. Coleman, A. (2023). Crisis communication strategies: how to prepare in advance, respond effectively and recover in full / rans. from English. O. Tatarenko. Kharkiv: Publishing House "Fabula". 200 p.
14. Litvinchuk, I. S. (2024). The effectiveness of communication in the media during a crisis. Vcheni zapysky TNU imeni V.I. Vernadskoho. [Scientific Notes of the V. I. Vernadsky TNU. Series: Philology. Journalism]. vol. 35 (74), no. 1. p. 2. pp. 148–152.
15. Myroshnychenko, A. (2023). Crisis Environmental Communications in Wartime (The Kakhovka Hydro-Power Plant Case). Grani. vol. 26, no. 5. pp. 132–142.
16. Moisiiakha, A. (2023). The utilization of social media in strategic communications aimed at ensuring the national security of Ukraine. Publichne uriaduvannia. [Public Governance]. no. 3 (36). pp. 53-59.
17. Mudrak, L. (2020). Communication and crisis. How communities can face challenges and act successfully during a crisis: a manual. Kyiv. 57 p. DOI: http://surl.li/nzyxb
18. Osypova, E. (2024). Crisis communications in public administration. Aktualni problemy menedzhmentu ta publichnoho upravlinnia v umovakh viiny ta pisliavoiennoi vidbudovy Ukrainy. [Current problems of management and public administration in the conditions of war and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine: materials of the All-Ukrainian scientific-practical conference with international participation]. Kyiv: Higher Educational Institution "Kyiv University of Market Relations". pp. 58–60.
19. Plakhova, O. (2022). Crisis сommunication in social work during the war. SOCIOPROSTIR: the interdisciplinary online collection of scientific works on sociology and social work. (12), 33-39.
20. Pryshliak, Ya. B. (2023) Change in the demand of the mass media audience during the unfolding of long-term crisis periods. Vcheni zapysky TNU imeni V.I. Vernadskoho. [Scientific Notes of the V. I. Vernadsky TNU. Series: Philology]. Journalism. vol. 34 (73), no. 3. pp. 319 – 325.
21. Snytko, O. S. (2023). Сrisis communications in the information space of wartime ukraine. Aktualni problemy ukrainskoi linhvistyky: teoriia i praktyka. [Current Problems of Ukrainian Linguistics: Theory and Practice], vol. XLVI. pp. 18–48.
22. Snytko, O. S., Hrechka, S. O. "Battle of narratives" in ukraine's modern media space. Aktualni problemy ukrainskoi linhvistyky: teoriia i praktyka. [Current Problems of Ukrainian Linguistics: Theory and Practice], vol. XLIV. pp. С. 86–117.
23. Coombs, W. T. (2016). Impact of Past Crises on Current Crisis Communication: Insights From Situational Crisis Communication. Sage Journ. vol. 41, іss. 3. DOI: http://surl.li/nzzor
24. Coombs, W. T. (2010). Parameters for crisis communication. The handbook of crisis communication. Oxford, UK. pp. 17–53. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781444314885.ch1
25. Coombs, W. T. (2015). The value of communication during a crisis: insights from strategic communication research. Business horizons. vol. 58, no. 2. Pp. 141–148. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2014.10.003
26. Coombs, W. T. (2024). Media and Crisis Communication. Taylor & Francis,.
27. Coombs, W. T., & Tachkova, E. R. (2023). Crisis communication theory. Public relations theory III: In the age of publics. pp. 11–18.
28. Kent, M. L., & Taylor, M. (2002). Toward a dialogic theory of public relations. Public relations review, 28(1), 21–37.
29. Shulska, N., Kostusiak, N., Bukina, N., Kyryliuk, O., Zinchuk, R., Afanasieva, O., Levchenko, T., Sadivnychyi, V., Baranova S., Medvid O. (2024). Peculiarities of “Unified News” Television Broadcasting: (Non)Adherence to Professional Standards, Language and Ethical Norms. AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research. vol. 14, iss. 1, Spec. issue XL. pp. 82–88. URL : https://www.magnanimitas.cz/ADALTA/140140/papers/A_14.pdf
30. Szondi, G. and Surowiec, P. (2016), “Crisis communication research in eastern Europe: the cases ofPoland and Hungary”, The Handbook of International Crisis Communication Research, Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ, pp. 384-339.
31. Toma, Mădălina-Maria. (2023). Crisis communication through social media in times of war. A content analysis. International Journal of Social and Educational Innovation (IJSEIro). vol. 10, Issue 20. pp. 160–172.
32. Ulmer, R. R., & Sellnow, T. L. (2002). Crisis management and the discourse of renewal: Understanding the potential for positive outcomes of crisis. Public Relations Review. 28(4). pp. 361–365.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.