Her research has included the study of political communication in social media and the use of technology in disinformation campaigns. Both Ukraine and Russia use media in their strategic war communication, according to Anamaria Dutceac Segesten. Russian media, which is controlled by the government, does not use words such as war and invasion, and describes the conflict as a consequence of aggression against Russia by Ukraine, western countries and, above all, NATO.
According to her, the traditional Ukrainian media presents reality that is favourable to Ukraine, with relatively small losses and probably exaggerated Russian losses.
She says that there are very few printed media outlets or TV channels in Russia that could be considered as free. However, Russians can access free media via the internet.
“But there are very few Russians who get their news from digital sources. The vast majority get their information from state TV – not streaming, but old-fashioned TV. This is controlled and owned by oligarchs who are close to Putin.”
“The Russians can hardly get a correct description of what is going on in the country or the world if they don’t live in large cities or have access to the internet. There is a major divide between urban and rural conditions, as internet access is mainly available in the large cities, but not in villages out in the country”, says Anamaria Dutceac Segesten.
She describes social media in Russia as principally propagandistic and controlled. At the same time, there are independent journalists and citizens who blog or document in other ways a reality that does not fit in with the government’s message. The Russian government has developed cyber armies active in large troll factories, which are used for propaganda purposes. In addition, parallel channels have been created to giants such as Facebook.
Even though Russians can gain access to western news channels via internet and social media, there are not many who trust what they see and hear there”, says Anamaria Dutceac Segesten.
“Russian media has created Russians’ world view. Many consider that western media is full of lies. Because it would be very uncomfortable to feel that your own country is wrong”, she says.