What Lies behind the Anti-West Outburst in Russia?
What Lies behind the Anti-West Outburst in Russia?

Author(s): Justyna Prus, Stanislav Secrieru
Subject(s): Media studies, Governance, Government/Political systems, Political behavior, Politics and communication, Politics and society, Sociology of Politics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Russian Federation; public opinion; social perception of Ukraine and the West; misinformation campaign; full control of media; anti-West campaign;
Summary/Abstract: During 2014, Russian society underwent an unprecedented shift in perceptions of Ukraine and the West. This is the effect of a deliberate misinformation campaign by the Kremlin, facilitated by the government’s practically full control of media messages inside the country, enhanced by a skillful appeal to the population’s aspirations and grievances. Although the Kremlin holds a tight grip on the Russian public opinion, the West has to invest more in outreach activities targeting various social groups in Russian society. Given that Russia’s information manipulation campaign spreads far beyond Russian borders, the West should actively create and develop tools to defend its information space and address the Russian speaking public in the Eastern Partnership countries.

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