Manipulative mechanisms and reasons behind sharing fake news during Russo-Ukrainian War: A three-fold study

Year 2023, , 33 - 60, 30.12.2023

Liana Markariani , Maia Toradze

https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2023-1390604

Abstract

In a crisis, an individual’s critical thinking is incapacitated, as the extreme circumstances put them in distress. Consequently, to overcome the panic and create an optimistic environment, any information that is apprehensible under these conditions becomes effortlessly shareable. The Russo-Ukrainian War of the 21st century has proved to be such a crisis and a trigger for disinformation. The study led to significant results concerning the characteristics of pseudopositive false information during war and the psychology of its sharing. By analyzing the sources of fake news published on Facebook, integrated with a survey of 300 Georgians and two focus groups, research concludes that Russian propaganda in Georgia during the Russo-Ukrainian War was strong. Despite this, Georgian social media users display an inclination for positive information about Ukraine, a preference rooted in a perceived common enemy and a shared sense of camaraderie with Ukrainians. By scrutinizing the influences of pseudo-positive fake news, research also identifies the main and most effective manipulators and triggers operating during the war. A noteworthy discovery is the active dissemination of anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian fake news by the Russian propaganda and disinformation machine in Georgian social media, fueling a Infodemic.

Keywords

Disinformation, pseudo-positivity, social media, Russo-Ukrainian War, manipulation

Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı sırasında sahte haber paylaşımının arkasındaki manipülatif mekanizmalar ve nedenleri: Üç aşamalı bir çalışma

Abstract

Bir kriz anında, ekstrem koşullar bireyi sıkıntı içerisine soktuğundan, bireyin eleştirel düşünme yetisi devre dışı kalır. Dolayısıyla, paniği aşmak ve iyimser bir ortam yaratmak için bu koşullar altında anlaşılabilir olan her türlü bilgi rahatlıkla paylaşılabilir hale gelir. 21. yüzyılın Rusya Ukrayna Savaşı ise böyle bir kriz ve dezenformasyon için tetikleyici bir olgu olduğunu kanıtlamıştır. Bu çalışma, savaş sırasında ortaya çıkan sahte enformasyonun özellikleri ve bunların paylaşılmasındaki psikolojiye ilişkin oldukça önemli sonuçlar ortaya koymuştur. Facebook’ta yayınlanan sahte haberlerin kaynaklarını analiz ederek, 300 Gürcü ile yapılan bir anket ve iki odak grubu ile entegre edilen araştırma, Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı sırasında Gürcistan’da, Rus propagandasının güçlü olduğu sonucuna varmıştır. Buna rağmen, Gürcü sosyal medya kullanıcılarının Ukrayna hakkında olumlu bilgilere eğilim gösterdiği ve bu tercihin temelinde ortak düşman algısı ve Ukraynalılarla paylaşılan yoldaşlık duygusu yattığı görülmüştür. Sahte haberlerin etkilerini inceleyen araştırma, savaş sırasında faaliyet gösteren ana ve en etkili manipülatörleri ve tetikleyicileri de belirlemiştir. Rus propaganda ve dezenformasyon makinesinin Gürcistan sosyal medyasında Ukrayna karşıtı ve Rusya yanlısı sahte haberleri aktif bir şekilde yayması ve dezenfodemiyi körüklemesi ise araştırmanın saptadığı diğer bir kayda değer bulgudur.

Keywords

Dezenformasyon, sözde olumluluk, sosyal medya, Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı, manipülasyon

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