The Study of Russo-Baltic Disinformation and Information Manipulation in Contemporary News Media

The Study of Russo-Baltic Disinformation and Information Manipulation in Contemporary News Media Page 4 of 109 Abstract Information in the 21st Century is produced and disseminated faster than ever before, resulting in a dynamic, yet chaotic information environment. Likewise, state and non-state actors can exploit this development for their own gains. Russia's increasingly aggressive behaviour has been exponentially drawing Western attention, especially since the annexation of Crimea. Russia's use of public diplomacy is not a new subject, nor is Russia the only state actor utilising such methods, but Russia's manner of pursuing its interests and objectives is inciting considerable concern in the post-Soviet region and the wider Western world. Accordingly, scholars, practitioners and political decision-makers alike have endeavoured to understand Russia's activities and its ambitions. The Baltic States are of geopolitical significance to interested parties. The Kremlin's interests in the Baltic States stem from past legacies and the Baltic States' sizable Russian population, while the Baltic States' memberships in Western institutions are also of interest. The dissertation's examination of Russian-based English-language news media sources, coupled with detailed interviews, identified various themes and..