LANGUAGE DIMENSION OF INFORMATION MANIPULATION IN UKRAINIAN TELEGRAM CHANNELS

Abstract

Background. The research delves into the challenges posed by the full-scale russian invasion, emphasizing the need for an effective counter-propaganda strategy online. The digital proximity of Ukraine and russia means users often consume information from diverse sources, sometimes antagonistic. With the growing influence of social networks and messenger platforms like Telegram, the study underscores the urgency of understanding and countering information-psychological operations. Our research also differentiates between intentional and unintentional manipulation, highlighting the varying objectives behind each.

Methods. The corpus of this study encompasses approximately 246,000 instances of language usage across 4,100 posts from popular Telegram channels such as "Труха⚡️Украина," "ЧОРНИЙ ЛИСТ," and "Український Телеграм." Linguistic research methodologies employed include analysis and synthesis.

Results. An analysis of 4,100 posts (encompassing approximately 246,000 word usages) from popular Ukrainian Telegram channels such as "Труха⚡️Украина," "ЧОРНИЙ ЛИСТ," and "Український Телеграм" was conducted to determine the proportion of content associated with manipulative attributes. An attempt was made to underscore the importance of evaluating the quality of content in Ukrainian Telegram channels as well as identifying the percentage of content that contains information and emotional manipulation. Within the selected study period, 29% of manipulative content was found on the "Труха⚡️Украина" channel, 12% on the "ЧОРНИЙ ЛИСТ" channel, and 3.3% on "Український Телеграм." It was determined that the most frequent linguistic and extralinguistic tools for information manipulation include the use of emojis and emotionally charged vocabulary, appeals to authority, specific word capitalization, lack of primary source citation, structuring messages with a focus on unverified information, calls to action, and the use of circumstantial adverbs of time to create a sense of urgency, among others.

Conclusions. Moreover, typographical errors, incoherent presentation of information, and grammatical mistakes were identified as other key markers of manipulative messaging. These seemingly inadvertent errors could potentially be deliberate, further muddying the waters of information clarity. Looking forward, the implications of this research are profound. The findings serve as a foundation for future educational initiatives aimed at the Ukrainian populace. By equipping individuals with the knowledge to discern and counteract manipulative tactics, we can foster a more informed and resilient society. This research also paves the way for a deeper exploration into the realms of information manipulation and cybersecurity in the ever-evolving landscape of online technologies.