In the digital age, when information spreads at astonishing speed, the question of propaganda and how to counter it becomes vitally important for preserving freedom of speech and independence of thought.
On 19 February 2024 a fascinating online meeting on propaganda and how to counter it took place with Olena Snihur, a researcher at the European University.
The talk given by Olena Snihur offered an in-depth, scholarly analysis of the concept of propaganda and of ways to overcome it. To propagandise, as she defines it, means to spread ideas, views or positions in order to influence the thinking and perceptions of an audience.
An important aspect of the discussion was the distinction between educational and manipulative propaganda. The talk traced how educational propaganda aims to explain and to raise awareness, whereas manipulative propaganda is actively used to manipulate people’s minds and their attitudes towards particular ideas.
The focus was on the features of Moscow’s manipulative propaganda amid the Russian Federation’s information-psychological and military aggression against Ukraine. The talk shed light on the functions, methods and forms used to influence citizens, both through traditional media such as television and radio and through new technologies such as the internet and social media.
In conclusion, the online meeting with Olena Snihur not only revealed the complexity of today’s propaganda influence but also highlighted the importance of a scholarly approach and a Ukraine-centred perspective in developing counter-strategies. This is the key to preserving national cohesion and resilience in the face of the challenges of today’s information space.
NEW FRIENDS FROM SPAIN were also invited to the meeting.
