Computational propaganda: Structural characteristics and vectors of research

Abstract

The term “computer propaganda” appeared several years ago because of the intersection of a number of sciences (computer sciences, political science, sociology, linguistics, social psychology, etc.). This phenomenon attracts attention for both technological and societal reasons. Therefore, the authors aim to reveal and analyze the main vectors of the development of theoretical concept of computer propaganda from the standpoint of the socio-communication approach. For this purpose, they identify the main structural characteristics of the concept corresponding to the characteristics of the process of information influence (object of propaganda, forms, channels, subjects of propaganda). Based on this position, the authors consider the original concept of propaganda presented in classical works on theory and practice of propaganda, and reveal the specifics of the new concept of computer propaganda. New characteristics of the target propaganda audience, a segmented structure of network virtual communities with the property of uncritical perception of “convenient and familiar” information, form specific features of the computer propaganda object. The authors outline that purposefully designed and circulated fake information in social networks is a new form of computer propaganda, and social bots as algorithmized programs, that allow for such distribution with maximum speed and scale, are a new channel of distribution for such information. The subjects of computer propaganda are the new political and business elites that have joined forces with representatives of the technological elite. In addition, current negative connotations dominate in the interpretation of computer propaganda as a communicative practice of using new computer technologies for manipulation and disinformation in online space. In conclusion, the authors discuss the possible perspectives of this topic, related to the understanding of the broader (neutral-information) context in understanding the phenomenon of computer propaganda.