The focus of this research by the NGO Infocenter is to identify the dominant propaganda narratives in online media coverage of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and Macedonian-Bulgarian relations.
A total of 345 contents published in the online media in the country were analyzed, of which 192 are dedicated to the relations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria (November 15, 2021 – February 15, 2022), and 152 refer to the military conflict in Ukraine, i.e. the period before the beginning and the beginning of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine (November 15, 2021 – March 31, 2022).
The authors of the research, which is supported by the US Embassy in RNM, are DSc. Sead Dzigal, communicator and Ljupco Petkovski, political scientist.
Key research findings
1. The military conflict in Ukraine
The presence of pro-Russian narratives was detected, the most common of which are:
– Exaltation of the power of Russia (great, powerfull, decisive, principled, economically and militarily superior).
– Russian aggression against Ukraine is legitimate.
– Weak, corrupt and Nazi Ukraine.
– The war in Ukraine is a market between great powers.
– Criticism and ridicule of NATO, the West and other supporters of Ukraine.
Impact of pro-Russian narratives on citizens (focus groups):
– Superiority of Russia.
– Skepticism towards Western support for Ukraine.
– Negative attitude towards Ukrainian President Zelenskiy.
– Belief in conspiracy theories.
– The war in Ukraine is not real. – The West is hypocritical towards Ukraine, but also towards Macedonia.
2. Macedonian-Bulgarian relations
The analysis detected the following dominant narratives:
– Bulgaria continues with its anti-Macedonian policy.
– Bulgarian fascism versus Macedonian anti-fascism.
– Bulgaria does not recognize the Macedonian minority in its country.
– The Macedonian government is treacherous and incompetent.
– Underestimation of conciliatory performances and statements.
The impact of narratives on citizens (focus groups):
Mistrust and a deep sense of victimization
– A deep-seated sense of victimization.
– High level of mistrust towards Macedonian foreign policy.
– Political elites “should not be puppets of the West”.
– The political elites are not capable of defending the “national interest”.
Potential for detecting propaganda narratives
– Motivation and potential for critical thinking.
– A certain degree of critical ability to detect and deconstruct propaganda narratives.
– Potential for critical distance to information from the “side” being supported.
You can read the full text of the research at the following link: https://nvoinfocentar.mk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Research-BG_MK_RU_UK.pdf
