Broadening the Field of View and Increasing Pressure: Polish Journalists on the Roles of Social Media during the War in Ukraine

TVP Polonia adapted its programming to the war in Ukraine, focusing on the conflict’s impact, particularly on its compatriots living there, by centring much of its content around the ongoing crisis.As one of the few Polish TV stations, it had the opportunity to work with journalists permanently living in Ukraine. The aim of the study is to describe the media image of Polish-Ukrainian relations during the war in Ukraine in the television broadcast of the program “Studio Lviv” carried out by Polish journalists in Lviv. The material for analysis was selected on the basis of the following criteria: (1) temporal, the year of the war (February 2022-February 2023) a total of 50 archived episodes and (2) issues concerning the war and Polish-Ukrainian relations (in the area of topics and visualisation of communication about the war). The content analysis research is in the nature of a media-culturalist perspective (according to Denis McQualin), in which media communication gives priority to the content and form of the media message. In the area of form, the mechanisms of audiovisual message construction were indicated, while in the area of content, the research material was categorised in four main contexts located in the area of Polish-Ukrainian relations: social, historical, cultural and political contexts. Analysis of the research material showed a clear dominance in the program of the subject matter of the war in Ukraine after the outbreak of war on 24 February 2022. The perspective of Polish journalists determined the way of telling about the situation of Ukraine during the Russian onslaught and Polish-Ukrainian relations. Exposing dialogue and cooperation confirmed the hypothesis that the message of the Polish-American TV magazine on public television created a positive image of Polish-Ukrainian relations.

The aim of this research is to investigate the role of social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in promoting civic activism of Latvian society in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine in 2022. The theoretical part of the research includes a description of social media usage habits, communication patterns of opinion leaders and non-governmental organizations on social media, communication flow patterns, as well as civic activism trends on and off social media. The results of the study were obtained through citizen of Latvia survey, content analysis of social media publications of opinion leaders and non-governmental organizations, and semi-structured interviews with opinion leaders Reinis Pozņaks and Tomass Pildegovičs, and representatives of non-governmental organizations “Tavi draugi,” “Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem”, and “SOS palīdzība Ukrainas armijai”. The study identifies the role of social media in promoting civic activism of Latvian society in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine in 2022, examines potential features of slacktivism, considers the aspects of social media communication of opinion leaders and non-governmental organizations and their role in supporting Ukrainian society, armed forces and refugees. Social media, as opinion leaders and non-governmental organizations point out, have played a crucial role in mobilising the Latvian public in support of the Ukrainian society, armed forces and refugees, and have been a key communication channel to reach and inform the public.

Disinformation, Ideas without Borders, and the War in Ukraine

The book "Psychological Effects of Russian War in Ukraine" is a comprehensive exploration of the profound psychological impact experienced by individuals and communities amidst the ongoing conflict. The book delves into a range of interconnected components, providing a holistic understanding of the complex dynamics associated with war. Beginning with an examination of Extreme Psychology and Military Psychology, the book sheds light on the mental challenges faced by both soldiers and civilians in the midst of conflict. Special Psychology then delves into the unique experiences of vulnerable populations, such as children, refugees, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Environmental Psychology explores the reciprocal relationship between the war-torn environment and psychological well-being, highlighting the influence of physical surroundings on stress, trauma, and coping mechanisms. Psychodiagnostics and Psychological Counselling form a crucial section, addressing the identification and treatment of mental health needs through effective diagnostic tools and counselling strategies. The book extends its focus to Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, offering in-depth analyses of the long-term mental health consequences and neurological implications of war on individuals. Rehabilitation Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Psychological Correction follow suit, presenting various strategies for rebuilding lives and mitigating the psychological aftermath of trauma. Health Psychology and Psychological Well-Being emphasize the intricate interplay between physical health and mental well-being, exploring the psychological factors that contribute to overall health outcomes in the context of war. Psychohygiene and Prevention of Mental Health Disorders shift the focus towards preventive measures and hygiene practices designed to safeguard mental health amidst the challenges of war. Socio-Psychological Aspects of War broaden the perspective to encompass the societal implications of conflict, examining collective trauma, displacement, and the influence of social dynamics on psychological well-being. The book concludes by delving into Allied & Associated Topics, touching on aspects such as social support, media impact, and international collaboration in addressing the multifaceted psychological aftermath of war. "Psychological Effects of Russian War in Ukraine" serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, offering valuable insights into the nuanced psychological dimensions associated with the ongoing conflict and its aftermath.

The article clarifies the EU population's perception of the war in Ukraine and identifies its cross-cultural features. The findings are based on the data of the survey “EU's response to the war in Ukraine”, conducted in April 2022 by Ipsos European Public Affairs at the request of the European Commission. The target population of the study is the citizens of the European Union member countries, aged 15 years and over (N = 26053). In the perception of the Russian-Ukrainian war, informational and activity-related aspects were distinguished. The first one included indicators of informational involvement (frequency of following and discussing news about the war in Ukraine) and trust in various sources of information (national authorities, European authorities, NGOs, journalists, and social media). The second one consisted of indicators of approval of measures announced by the EU (economic sanctions against Russia and Russian oligarchs, financial support to Ukraine, military and humanitarian aid, the ban on broadcasting in the EU of state-owned Russian media, welcoming in EU people feeling the war) and satisfaction with reactions of main actors (national authorities, the EU, NATO, UN, USA, citizens of own country). For cross-cultural comparison of various aspects of Russian-Ukrainian war perception, several macro indicators have been constructed. Common characteristics of the war perception in EU countries were a high frequency of following news and discussing it with friends and relatives, approval of main EU measures aimed at supporting Ukraine; great satisfaction with the reaction of the main actors to the events in Ukraine. People do not equally trust various sources of information and the ranking of sources according to their credibility has cross-cultural differences. The most reliable sources were national and EU authorities and fewer people trust NGOs and journalists. Social media were widely untrusted. At the same time, there are two main patterns of trust in various sources. The first one is a combination of distrust in social media with high trust in other sources. The second one is distrust in most or even all sources of information.

Russia's war in Ukraine has marked an inflection point for the future of the global order and democracy itself. Widely condemned for waging a war of aggression, the Russian government has used its official social media channels to spread disinformation as justification for the war. This study examines how the Russian government has used its official Twitter accounts to shape English-language conversations about the war in Ukraine. 2,685 English-language tweets posted by 70 Russian government accounts between 1 September 2022 and 31 January 2023 were analyzed using BERTopic. Initial topic analysis shows the Russian government portrayed itself as a noble world leader interested in peace and cooperation, while deflecting blame onto the “Kiev Regime” for starting the war. A semantic similarity analysis was then conducted to compare the narratives originating from Russian government Twitter accounts to 149,732 English-language tweets about the war in Ukraine to estimate these narratives’ spread. Results show a segment of general discussion tweets to exhibit strongly similar language to Russian government tweets, but also highlight differences between the frequency and saliency of Russian government narratives. This work contributes one of the first analyses of disinformation originating from official Russian government social media channels about the war in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine has triggered varying responses from people with Chinese heritage worldwide. These responses to the war highlight the diversities within global Chinese communities. They also serve as a lens through which we can observe how different Chinese communities intersect and interact through the internet and social media in a globalised world. This paper creates a few snapshots of juxtaposing opinions on the war in Ukraine among global Chinese communities. It identifies three preliminary patterns underlying these diverse opinions, pointing to directions for subsequent empirical studies. It also discusses how opinions toward the war in Ukraine expose the complex and complicated diversities and connections among global Chinese communities, calling for more scholarly efforts to situate Chinese studies within the global context.

It is known that information activities concerning the agenda are carried out on many media tools, especially social media, in cases of interstate crisis, conflict, and war. However, unlike traditional media, subjective evaluations on social media platforms can spread suddenly without being verified. This situation causes fake news to spread, and many people even show a reflex to believe it. This research deals with the fake news of the Russia-Ukraine war that broke out at the beginning of 2022; 125 fake contents analyzed by Teyit, Dogrula, Dogruluk Payı, and Malumatfuruş sites were taken as a sample. In this study, which aims to reveal the extent to which social media platforms pave the way for information wars, it has been determined that fake content is shared on many media tools, including online news sites, YouTube, and, in particular, Twitter. It has been determined that almost half of this content was shared in the first week of the war, and montage and editing techniques were frequently applied to the content. The study also brings up the establishment of an official communication network in accordance with the 24/7 working conditions to confirm fake news.

IntroductionIn times of war, sourcing becomes a major challenge for journalists. Information is often unavailable because access is restricted or because reporting on the ground is prohibited, too dangerous, or even simply too costly for media having to work with limited resources. Which sources actually shape the news is a highly relevant question because news media still constitute the main channel of information for many citizens, especially when it comes to wars abroad. For a long time, scholars have diagnosed a dominance of official sources in war coverage but have not analyzed whether this is still the case with the advent of social media platforms, which potentially offer journalists other sources. Moreover, the integration of social media sources, such as Twitter or Telegram, is just one of many interdependencies in hybrid media environments. We aim to provide a more holistic understanding of sourcing practices in times of war by analyzing to what extent information from government and military sources, social media, other news media, and news agencies is featured as a main source in reporting on the war in Ukraine.MethodsIn our paper, we examine how 13 online media in Switzerland cover the war in Ukraine during the first 3 months after Russia's invasion—an example of a period in which journalists must typically identify reliable sources for reporting on the events surrounding such a war. Using a manual content analysis of 1,198 news articles, we analyze the sourcing practices that are visible in the reporting.ResultsOur results clearly show that information from other news outlets and social media and, above all, from news agencies plays an important role. Structural features of media types lead to distinct sourcing practices. Heavily commercialized, advertising-based media rely on news agency reports, other news media, and social media much more than subscription media or public service media. However, in all media types, actors from the government and the military are the most important source type.DiscussionOur study reveals patterns old and new in terms of sourcing practices war coverage in a European country not participating in, but affected by, the major war in Ukraine.

Organiser: British Sociological Association, Media Study Group CfP PDF: https://tinyurl.com/2k6nu4qt We are living in unusual times. As such, recent and ongoing events — including the pandemic, the energy/ cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine — provide an opportunity to look again at our ideas about the role and operation of media at times of sustained crises and conflicts.

This article adopts the theoretical framework of memetic warfare and International Relations (IR), applying a qualitative, interpretive case study to a curated dataset of 192 memes circulated in pro-Bolsonaro WhatsApp groups in Brazil. These visual artefacts are examined as discursive tools that reframe global events - most notably the 2022 war in Ukraine - within national political cultures. The findings reveal how memes have been mobilised to construct political identities, reinforce authoritarian populist narratives, and disseminate disinformation. By analysing how international crises are appropriated to shape domestic discourse, the article contributes to IR by highlighting the role of digital media in political communication and opinion formation, particularly in the Global South.

Organiser: British Sociological Association, Media Study Group CfP PDF: https://tinyurl.com/2k6nu4qt We are living in unusual times. As such, recent and ongoing events — including the pandemic, the energy/ cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine — provide an opportunity to look again at our ideas about the role and operation of media at times of sustained crises and conflicts.

Introduction: This study explores the dual role of media in crimes against humanity. Media may at times amplify hate and incite violence (as in Rwanda), while at other times it may expose truth and contribute to the pursuit of justice and accountability (as in Ukraine). Understanding this dual capacity is essential for developing legal and ethical safeguards in the digital age. Method: Using a qualitative methodology, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the Rwandan genocide and the war in Ukraine. Based on court judgments, print and visual media sources, and NGO reports, it analyzes how media functioned either to fuel violence or support accountability. Findings: In Rwanda, RTLM radio played a central role in spreading hate speech and orchestrating mass violence. In Ukraine, open-source investigations and citizen journalism have aided in documenting war crimes and verifying them through digital tools. The contrasting roles illustrate that media’s impact depends heavily on its ownership, values, and the political environment in which it operates. Discussion or Conclusion: The role of media in crimes against humanity is shaped not by the medium itself but by how and by whom it is used. These findings call for stronger international standards to regulate incitement and promote responsible media. Media literacy, press freedom, and digital evidence protocols play a critical role in preventing future atrocities.

The first two months in the war in Ukraine through topic modeling and sentiment analysis

The article focuses on the role of visual media in shaping national identity and overcoming collective trauma in Ukrainian society amidst the war with Russia. The author analyzes how visual media such as cinema, photography, television, and social networks influence cultural positioning, integration of different cultural identities, and preservation of cultural heritage. Using phenomenological and cultural paradigms, the study shows how these media encode and transmit cultural meanings, forming social narratives and significances that impact the perception and comprehension of the war. The work also draws on methodological approaches of W. Benjamin, A. Bazin, and other theorists to analyze the influence of visual media on social processes and overcoming the consequences of war through the lens of visual culture. The problem is the necessity of a detailed analysis of the role of visual media in the conditions of war, particularly regarding their impact on forming national identity and overcoming collective trauma. The war creates profound socio-cultural challenges, requiring society to rethink its values, historical narratives, and identity. Visual media, such as cinema, photography, television, and social networks, act as powerful tools for cultural positioning, capable of influencing public moods, identification processes, and collective memory. War leaves a deep imprint on society, affecting various aspects of life, including culture and identity, while simultaneously causing cultural traumas manifested in the loss of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The destruction of historical monuments, libraries, museums, and other cultural objects is one of the most painful aspects of war. Moreover, cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation can be interrupted or forgotten due to population displacement and loss of connection with the homeland. These traumas not only destroy the past but also complicate the future, creating a vacuum in the cultural space that is difficult to fill. In the Ukrainian context, the war with Russia has caused significant cultural and social changes, and visual media play a key role in forming and representing these changes, helping people comprehend their experiences and express their identity. These media have become powerful tools for integration and creating national identity, as well as helping society cope with the collective trauma of war. Visual media document and represent cultural traumas. Photos of destroyed cities, films about the lives of displaced persons, TV programs about volunteers, and artistic works reflecting pain and suffering help create collective memory about the events, becoming important witnesses that capture the realities of war and help future generations understand its impact. The research confirmed the significant role of visual media in forming national identity and overcoming collective trauma during the war in Ukraine. Visual media, such as cinema, photography, television, and social networks, serve as powerful tools for cultural positioning, promoting the integration of different cultural identities and preserving cultural heritage. Through the phenomenological paradigm, the study explored how the subjective experience of war is transformed into collective memory via media, affecting individual perceptions of reality. Within the cultural paradigm, the research analyzed how media reflect historical and socio-cultural changes caused by the war, creating new cultural codes and social patterns. Visual media play a critical role in cultural adaptation and social integration during the war, helping society preserve the memory of the past, build new meanings, and form a common national identity. This research fills the existing scientific gap and provides new tools for understanding and overcoming the consequences of war through the lens of visual culture. Key words: visual media, national identity, collective trauma, cultural positioning, war, cultural heritage, cultural reflection.