Detecting the Russian Playbook in News Framing
Funded By:
Project period:
After the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, it was widely believed that Russia had a "playbook" that included softening its target by through the use of propagandistic framing of events in the media. This study combined machine classification of content in Russian state media and other pro-Russian media to identify five frames designed to promote social unrest in and undermine the government of Ukraine, and legitimize Russian seizure of Crimea. Our analysis showed a spike in the dynamics of these frames months before the actual invasion.