Russian disinformation in Eastern Europe. Vaccination media frames in ro.sputnik.md

 Andreea-Alina Mogoș, Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

 Teodora-Elena Grapă, Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

 Teodora-Felicia Șandru, Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C72-2022-03

Keywords

Media framing, news values, content analysis, textual analysis, COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik News

Abstract

The news site ro.sputnik.md is the Romanian language version of the Sputnik news website platform, owned by the Russian government, one of the main channels used by the Kremlin to disseminate mis- and disinformation across Russian borders. The current research aims to identify the frames associated with anti-COVID-19 vaccines, and the news values employed in constructing news discourse on vaccination in ro.sputnik.md media texts. To map the media frames and the lexical and discursive constructions, the research proposes a mixed methods content-based approach, where automated text analysis (frequency, co-occurrence, n-grams) is combined with thematic and discourse analysis. Six emphasis frames are identified in the corpus (N=1,165): Superiority of the Russian Sputnik V Vaccine, Fatal/Side Effects of EU Authorized Vaccines, Limitations of Individual Rights and Freedoms, EU and/or Romanian Authorities’ Struggle, Children and Teenagers’ Protection, and Big Pharma Conspiracy. The findings show that specific discursive patterns are associated with the negative news value: death, side effects (blood clot, thrombosis, coagulation), restrictions, and interdictions or warnings (serious, risk, negative, panic, etc.), while the conflict news value is associated with warfare vocabulary (defense, threat, battle, fire, gunpowder, etc.); and eliteness, with well-known actors (state leaders, European leaders, famous "conspirators'') and countries (powerful international actors, meaningful neighbours).

References

Bednarek, M., & Caple, H. (2014). Why do news values matter? Towards a new methodological framework for analysing news discourse in Critical Discourse Analysis and beyond. Discourse and Society, 25(2), 135-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957926513516041

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Bednarek, M., & Caple, H. (2017). Language and news values. In M. Bednarek & H. Caple (Eds.), The Discourse of News Values (pp. 77-106). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190653934.003.0004

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Carrasco-Polaino, R., Martín-Cárdaba, M., & Villar-Cirujano, E. (2021). Citizen participation in Twitter: Anti-vaccine controversies in times of COVID-19. [Participación ciudadana en Twitter: Polémicas anti-vacunas en tiempos de COVID-19]. Comunicar, 69, 21-31. https://doi.org/10.3916/C69-2021-02

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Claussen, V. (2018). Fighting hate speech and fake news, The Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) in Germany in the context of European legislation. Media Laws, 3(3), 110-136. https://bit.ly/3sGwepa

Link Google Scholar

Cvjeticanin, T., Zulejhic, E., Brkan, D., & Livancic-Milic, B. (2019). Disinformation in the online sphere: The case of BiH. Citizens’ Association ‘Why Not’. https://bit.ly/3HLVk9T

Link Google Scholar

de-Vreese, C.H., Boomgaarden, H.G., & Semetko, H.A. (2011). (In)direct framing effects: The effects of news media framing on public support for Turkish membership in the European Union. Communication Research, 38(2), 179-205. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650210384934

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Demjanski, A. (2020). Framing the news: Deutsche Welle, Sputnik News, and Macedonia’s Colorful Revolution [Unpublished Master dissertation]. University of Texas at Austin. https://bit.ly/3q5BPmR

Link Google Scholar

Deverell, E., Wagnsson, C., & Olsson, E.K. (2021). Destruct, direct and suppress: Sputnik narratives on the Nordic countries. Journal of International Communication, 27(1), 15-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13216597.2020.1817122

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Druckman, J.N. (2001). The implications of framing effects for citizen competence. Political Behavior, 23(3), 225-256. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015006907312

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Entman, R.M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Entman, R.M., & Rojecki, A. (1993). Freezing out the public: Elite and media framing of the U.S. anti?nuclear movement. Political Communication, 10(2), 155-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.1993.9962973

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Galtung, J., & Ruge, M.H. (1965). The Structure of foreign news. Journal of Peace Research, 2(1), 64-91. https://doi.org/10.1038/166923b0

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Harcup, T., & O’Neill, D. (2016). What is news?: News values revisited (again). Journalism Studies, 18(12), 1470-1488. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2016.1150193

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Higgins, A. (2021, November 9). In Romania, hard-hit by COVID, doctors fight vaccine refusal. The New York Times. https://nyti.ms/3EALCp9

Link Google Scholar

Innes, M. (2019). Techniques of disinformation: Constructing and communicating “soft facts” after terrorism. The British Journal of Sociology, 71(2), 284-299. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12735

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

IRES – Institutul Român pentru Evaluare si Strategie (Ed.) (2021). Vaccinarea in România. Perceptii. Atitudini. Comportamente. Opinion poll. https://bit.ly/32Ji8Zd

Link Google Scholar

Ireton, C., & Posetti, J. (2018). Journalism, “fake news” & disinformation: Handbook for Journalism Education and Training. UNESCO. http://bitly.ws/oXHE

Link Google Scholar

Joye, S. (2010). News discourses on distant suffering: A critical discourse analysis of the 2003 SARS outbreak. Discourse & Society, 21(5), 586-601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957926510373988

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Joye, S., Heinrich, A., & Wöhlert, R. (2016). 50 years of Galtung and Ruge: Reflections on their model of news values and its relevance for the study of journalism and communication today. Communication and Media, 11(38), 5-28. https://doi.org/10.5937/comman11-9514

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Kaiser, J. (2020). Emphasis framing effects in political communication - An experimental approach to the role of issue-specific argument strength, cross-thematic salience emphasis frames, and political value preferences in citizens’ attitude formation. [Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Zurich]. https://bit.ly/3tciYbG

Link Google Scholar

Kang, G.J., Ewing-Nelson, S.R., Mackey, L., Schlitt, J.T., Marathe, A., Abbas, K.M., & Swarup, S. (2017). Semantic network analysis of vaccine sentiment in online social media. Vaccine, 35(29), 3621-3638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.052

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Kottasová, I. (2021, October 1). They have all the vaccines they need, but these EU nations are still miles behind their neighbors. CNN. https://cnn.it/3sFOr6f

Link Google Scholar

Kragh, M., & Asberg, S. (2017). Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: The Swedish case. Journal of Strategic Studies, 40(6), 773-816. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2016.1273830

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

MacFarquhar, N. (2016, August 28). A powerful Russian weapon: The spread of false stories. New York Times. https://nyti.ms/33TJY5k

Link Google Scholar

McCombs, M.E., & Shaw, D.L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176-187. https://doi.org/10.1086/267990

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Müller, P., & Schultz, A. (2021). Alternative media for a populist audience? Exploring political and media use predictors of exposure to Breitbart, Sputnik, and Co. Information, Communication and Society, 47(4), 124-134. https://doi.org/10.31857/S013116462104007X

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Nossier, S.A. (2021). Vaccine hesitancy: The greatest threat to COVID-19 vaccination programs. Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 96(1), 18-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-021-00081-2

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Our World in Data (Ed.) (2019). Skepticism to vaccines and what to do about it.Oxford Martin School/University of Oxford.. https://bit.ly/3z5ToGp

Link Google Scholar

Palm, R., Bolsen, T., & Kingsland, J.T. (2021). The effect of frames on COVID-19 vaccine resistance. Frontiers in Political Science, 3, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2021.661257

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Rosenberg, H., Syed, S., & Rezaie, S. (2020). The Twitter pandemic: The critical role of Twitter in the dissemination of medical information and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 22(4), 418-421. https://doi.org/10.1017/cem.2020.361

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Salaverría, R., Buslón, N., López-Pan, F., León, B., López-Goñi, I., & Erviti, M.C. (2020). Desinformación en tiempos de pandemia: Tipología de los bulos sobre la Covid-19. Profesional de la Información, 29(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2020.may.15

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Salmon, D.A., Dudley, M.Z., Granz, J.M., & Omer, S.B. (2015). Vaccine hesitancy: Causes, consequences, and a call to action. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(6), 391-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.06.009

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Scales, D., Gorman, J., Leff, C., & Gorman, S. (2021). Effective ways to combat online medical and scientific misinformation: A hermeneutic narrative review and analysis. [Unpublished Pre-print]. https://doi.org/10.33767/osf.io/rcugs

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Scannell, D., Desens, L., Guadagno, M., Tra, Y., Acker, E., Sheridan, K., Rosner, M., Mahieu, J., & Fulk, M. (2021). COVID-19 vaccine discourse on Twitter: A content analysis of persuasion techniques, sentiment and mis/disinformation. Journal of Health Communication, 26(7), 443-459. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1955050

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Scheufele, D.A. (1999). Framing as a theory of media effects. Journal of Communication, 49(1), 103-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1999.tb02784.x

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Semetko, H.A., & Valkenburg, P.M. (2000). Framing European politics: A content analysis of press and television news. Journal of Communication, 50(2), 93-109. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2000.tb02843.x

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Snegovaya, M. (2015). Russia Report 1: Putin’s Information Warfare in Ukraine. Institute for the Study of War. http://bitly.ws/oVf6

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2020a). Un virolog explica riscurile unui vaccin creat prea repede. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/32Hw7ym

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2020b). Orban si Arafat, calcati in picioare de un RENUMIT om de afaceri! Ponta, reactie ironica. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3Jr7APe

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2020c). George Soros rupe tacerea: Interviu fulminant – interese si strategii in spatele Pandemiei. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3qwsio3

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021a). Gamaleia: Sputnik V poate proteja de toate tulpinele cunoscute. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3FvGoMN

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021b). Noi date: Sputnik V, eficient in proportie de 97,6%. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/32ERhgI

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021c). Scandal urias: trei decedati dupa vaccinarea Pfizer! ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3mH4k8F

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021d). Eleva de liceu decedata dupa vaccinul Pfizer – familia devastata, Sofia era sanatoasa. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3Ey20qn

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021e). Un europarlamentar român compara vaccinarea obligatorie cu nazismul. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3FDo7wW

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021f). Cristian Terhes, attacks European Parliament’s “democracy” harshly – Video. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3mE5Fgg

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021g). Chitic: Our freedom’s winter began. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3FNdB6k

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021h). Norvegia cere procurarea vaccinului Sputnik V pe fondul unui numar record de infectari. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3z40N9o

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021i). Scandalul infectarii stranii a lui Mirel Curea. Reactia dura a dr. Razvan Constantinescu. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3etN9mn

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021j). Medicii, avertisment legat de o decizie a Ministerului Sanatatii: creste riscul de deces. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3Evi1gN

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021k). Indonezia suspenda un lot de AstraZeneca dupa moartea unei victime a vaccinului. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3ew9gJ6

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021l). Kremlinul a raspuns la acuzatiile The Sun despre furtul formulei vaccinului AstraZeneca. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/32Hx6P4

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021m). “Rusia nu urmareste banii”. Sputnik V a inceput sa fie aparat in Europa. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/32Hxayi

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021n). Expertii din India: Sputnik V, eficient in combaterea tulpinii Delta. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3etOjyf

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021o). Analist: “Ceea ce se intâmpla in România, in Europa si in lume miroase a praf de pusca”. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3sCh2cw

Link Google Scholar

Sputnik. (2021p). Ungaria pune NATO la punct: Nu vede Rusia ca o amenintare. ro.sputnik.md. https://bit.ly/3z9CEOz

Link Google Scholar

Stefan, B. (2020). Understanding Sputnik news agency internet traffic analysis. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brasov, 13(1), 113-124. https://doi.org/10.31926/but.scl.2020.62.13.1.12

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Voicu, M. (2018). Matrioska Mincinosilor: Fake news, manipulare, populism, Humanitas. https://bit.ly/3sQ2juq

Link Google Scholar

Westerståhl, J., & Johansson, F. (1994). Foreign news: News values and ideologies. European Journal of Communication, 9(1), 71-89. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323194009001004

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

White, J. (2016). Dismiss, distort, distract, and dismay: Continuity and change in Russian disinformation. Institute for European Studies: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 13. [Policy Paper]. https://bit.ly/3sE5y8l

Link Google Scholar

World Health Organization (Ed.) (2019). Top threats to global health in 2019. WHO.Int. https://bit.ly/3qvEjtX

Link Google Scholar

Yablokov, I. (2015). Conspiracy theories as a Russian public diplomacy tool: The case of Russia Today (RT). Politics, 35(3-4), 301-315. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9256.12097

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Zarocostas, J. (2020). How to fight an infodemic. The Lancet, 395(10225), 676. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30461-X

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Fundref

The present work received support from Babe?-Bolyai University.

Crossmark

Technical information

Received: 29-12-2021

Revised: 08-02-2022

Accepted: 02-03-2022

OnlineFirst: 15-05-2022

Publication date: 01-07-2022

Article revision time: 41 days | Average time revision issue 72: 31 days

Article acceptance time: 63 days | Average time of acceptance issue 72: 75 days

Preprint editing time: 138 days | Average editing time preprint issue 72: 150 days

Article editing time: 183 days | Average editing time issue 72: 195 days

Metrics

Metrics of this article

Views: 11450

Abstract readings: 10514

PDF downloads: 936

Full metrics of Comunicar 72

Views: 241737

Abstract readings: 218006

PDF downloads: 23731

Cited by