Information and Communication Technologies in Creating Political Media Reality in Russia

The article explores intended use of infocomms in creation of political media reality, acting as a virtual environment, effectively replacing reality. A noteworthy detail is that mainstreaming of information and communication technologies into political sphere substantially increases the authoritative potential for the media discourse. Those forces that assert their own media versions of events and media images for their participants have been winning in the competitive struggle amidst media discourses today. Furthermore, all available communication channels (television, media, Internet resources, mobile telecommunications) are used to set up a political pseudo-environment for their information consumers, replacing political reality. The article shows what way new media resources, initially aimed at manipulating the mass consciousness in the pre-election race are being incorporated today. In particular, impressive manipulative media effects are demonstrated when a fake discourse is included in the media space. In addition, computer attacks, hacking, and the prime of independent cyber organizations fighting against the “world evil” are in effect as an instrument in the political struggle, in obtaining compromising material and interstate opposition. The work records the inclusion of graphic elements, emoji, clips in the media discourse. In general, symbols, encroaching into the politics space, become a part of the political mainstream, change the style of political demonstrations, discussions, chats that unite adherents to influence the actions of the authorities. It follows that the political media reality design, supported by the latest information and communication technologies tools, directly affects the perception of what is happening on a global scale, quickly formatting the mass consciousness.

information and communication technologies, Internet technologies, fake-discourse, cyberattacks, emoji, political communication, media reality, media discourse, post-information society, network communication society

1. Abramov V.G. Mass media: instrument for information and communication influence on mass consciousness (theory issues). International Journal. Media. Information. Communication. 2014; 8: 34-42 (In Russ)

2. Voinov D.A «Emoji» as a technology for political communication on the Internet. The Age of Quality. 2016; 4: 103-112 (In Russ.)

3. Volodenkov S.V. From information to communication: communication technologies in the context of modern post-information society. Bulletin of the Moscow State Regional University. Political Science. 2016; 4: 1-10 (In Russ.)

4. Volodenkov S.V. Modern information and communication technologies’ development as a factor for the formation of the paradigm in the society of network communications. Bulletin of Moscow University. Political science. 2016; 2: 27-28 (In Russ.)

5. Gramatchikov A., Vandysheva O. There is a total cyberwar going on. Expert. 2017; 5: 15-16. (In Russ.)

6. Castells M. Information age: economy, society, culture. Moscow: State University Higher School of Economics; 2000. 505 p. (In Russ.)

7. Latypov I.A. Information Society //Modern Philosophical Dictionary. London, Paris, Moscow, Frankfurt am Main: «Panprint»; 1998. 356-359 p. (In Russ.)

8. Rusakova O.F., Gribovod E.G. Political Media Discourse and Mediation of Politics as Concepts for Political Communication Studies. Scientific Annals of the Institute for Philosophy and Law, Russian Academy of Sciences Ural Branch. 2014; 14(4): 68-69. (In Russ.)

9. Solovey T.G. Political Symbols as a Method for Political Communication // Europe: Actual Problems of Ethnoculture: Sixth International Scientific-theoretical Conference Proceedings (Minsk); April, 22, 2013.; Minsk; 2013. P. 108-109 (In Russ.)

10. Yakovleva E.V. Media reality: special aspects of its design and application for political purposes. Modern scientific research and innovation. 2016; 6: 17-18 (In Russ.)

11. Daebert R.J. Parchment, Printing and Hypermedia: Communication in World Order Transformstion. New York: Columbia University Press; 1997.

12. Lippmann W. Stereotypes. Language in Uniform. A reader on Propaganda. New York: 1967. 38-50.