Detecting Russian Influence in Democratic Political Discourse

• In Event: The International Spread and Influence of Russia’s War Propaganda

Abstract

Russian propaganda messaging often infiltrates public discourse in democratic countries, with the U.S. as a prime example of this vulnerability. Increasingly, journalists and politicians in democracies contribute to this vulnerability by reproducing and bolstering the Kremlin’s narratives. A recent concerning example involves U.S. politicians spreading false or misleading claims about the Russo-Ukrainian war, subsequently repeated by numerous news outlets. This study employs survey experiments to assess U.S. news consumers' ability to (a) discern the political agenda behind statements originating in Russian propaganda but spread by U.S. actors, and (b) distinguish between propaganda claims and fact-based statements. The study also examines the effectiveness of warnings and disclaimers that U.S. media reporting sometimes attaches to Russian talking points to mitigate their possible harmful impact. This analysis aims to establish whether such corrections are effective and identify other opportunities for improving news consumers’ ability to recognize foreign influence.

Author

• Anton Shirikov, U of Kansas