Generational effects of culture and digital media in former Soviet Republics

Abstract

In public opinion, social and digital media provide means for influence as well as sorting according to pre-existing values. Here we consider types of media usage versus opinion using new polling results in the former Soviet republics (FSRs) of Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia. Over 1000 individuals in each country were asked about a news event (the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol) and about the long-term future of their country. We find that year of birth and country of residence, rather than self-reported media reliance, consistently predicted the respondents’ views, particularly on the future of their country. The timing of these differences suggests a cultural difference between generations growing up in the Soviet Union (likely more pro-Russian) versus afterward, in an FSR (more pro-Western). Whereas digital media choice is somewhat correlated with perceptions of a recent, international news event, the more predictive factors are longer-term cultural values and age cohorts within each nation.