Fake News as a Propaganda Tool in the Digital Space of Russian Society

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to consider the communication mechanisms of emergence and dissemination of fake news in the digital space of Russian society. The methodological basis is the sociological and communicative approach to the study of fake news as deliberate rumors spread in the digital space of Russian society in the form of deliberately false and socially harmful information. To prove this conclusion, the methods of communicative analysis, critical discourse analysis and content analysis were used. The results of the study consist in the analysis of the reactions of the state and the mass audience to fake content. The study of the topic of fake news since the beginning of the SVO and the emergence of more and more new resources disseminating them indicate an information war actively waged in the Russian digital space. The conclusion is drawn that traditional information measures to combat fakes are insufficient and it is necessary to more actively apply legal mechanisms to limit the dissemination of fake information on the World Wide Web.