Terminal Veracity: How Russian Propaganda Uses Telegram to Manufacture ‘Objectivity’ on the Battlefield
Abstract:
This article investigates over 130,000 Telegram messages, 15,000 Telegram forwards, and 750 news articles from Russian-affiliated media to assess the information supply chain between Russian media and Telegram channels covering the war in Ukraine. Using machine-learning techniques, this research provides a framework for conducting argument and network analysis for disambiguating narratives, channels, and users, and mapping dissemination pathways of influence operations. The findings indicate that a central feature of Russian war reporting is actually the prevalence of neutral, non-argumentative language. Moreover, dissemination patterns between media sites and Telegram channels reveal a well-cited information laundering network with a distinct supply chain of covert, semi-covert, and overt channel types active at seed, copy, and amplification levels of operation.
AUTHORS
Peace and War Center Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont, United States of America
Mark W. Perry is the lead information warfare research analyst at the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace and War Center at Norwich University. He is also an adjunct professor at Norwich University’s Leahy School of Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing, where he teaches digital threat analysis and open-source research methods. He has an MA in international policy and development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California. His research interests include social cybersecurity, international relations, and comparative politics. Perry’s publications explore the strategies and tactics with which state and non-state actors craft narratives and wield influence in competition and conflict.
Department of Computer Science University of California at Riverside
Riverside, California, United States of America
Arman Irani is a fourth year PhD candidate in computer science at the University of California, Riverside, with a focus in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and its application in comprehending and quantifying online interactions. His research interests lie in the exploration of deliberation dynamics within online forums, with a particular emphasis on dissecting the discourse that occurs on platforms such as Reddit and Telegram and the relationship between real-world events and online conversations. Irani’s publications delve into the realms of domain-specific keyword expansion, sentiment analysis, and the development of robust frameworks for quantifying discourse encompassing contentious subjects.
Published In
Journal of Information Warfare
The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.
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