Propaganda or Not: Examining the Claims of Extensive Russian Information Operations within the United States
Abstract:
This paper scientifically examines the claims of an extensive Russian propaganda targeting the population of the United States made by an organization called Prop or Not. Using the Agenda Setting Theory, it examined the intermedia agenda setting effects between the Russian State Media outlet Sputnik and four weblogs listed by Prop or Not. The results of the study found a strong positive correlation between Sputnik and Zero Hedge, New Cold War, Global Research, and the Daily Sheeple in terms of very favorable coverage of Russia and its allies. A positive but weaker correlation was found between these media sources and their coverage of the United States and its allies. In conclusion, this study lends credence to the claims made by Prop or Not and sets a precedent for further investigation of its claims.
AUTHORS
Joint Special Operations University
Tampa, Florida, United States
Douglas S. Wilbur (Ph.D., University of Missouri at Columbia) specializes in the role of propaganda and information warfare in violent conflict and war. He is currently a visiting professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In a previous life, he was an Information Operations Officer in the U.S. Army with four deployments.
Published In
Journal of Information Warfare
The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.
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