Features of Propaganda and Manipulation in the Modern Information Space of New Media

Abstract

This article discusses propaganda and manipulation as social phenomena and explores the features of its manifestations in the new media. The phenomenon of propaganda has been a recurrent topic of debate in public spaces over the past decades; there are dozens of international studies on the problems of its harm and necessity. The information environment constantly raises questions about the objectivity and reliability of the data distributed by the media, and their impact on public opinion and sociopolitical events in the world. With the development of communication technologies and the advent of new media, propaganda and manipulation reach a new level, gaining tremendous opportunities for influencing the individual and society. However, there is still no effective system of interaction with similar phenomena. Under the influence of constant informational impact in society, the system of values is rapidly changing and there is a reassessment of the main social constructs. The state, the sphere of education and the social sphere are need of new approaches to interacting with information and a changing society. The aims of the study are to identify the views of Russian youth regarding the current government and its policies, as well as determine the level of radicalism and protest potential of youth. This research discusses some propaganda technologies, especially relevant today. Examples of positive and negative propaganda are highlighted. Their specificity is substantiated and specific examples of such an impact are given, which entail significant socio-political events. The results of an empirical study have revealed mechanisms of the media influence on the individuals. The study has fixed the problem of radical political views formation, under the influence of the information environment created by new media. The necessity of creating an effective system to counter these phenomena in all spheres of social activity is substantiated. The problems and the direction requiring further research are formulated.
 Keywords: propaganda, manipulation, new media, propaganda technologies, information environment, content, social networks, Internet