The Media War Over Crimea and Russian Public Opinion

How did the messaging contest between Russian and Western media over the conflict in Crimea influence Russian audiences? Did mediated public diplomacy through the Western media outlets about the potential costs of Russia’s foreign policy have any impact? Was the strategic promotion of Russian nationalism and historic empire-building by the Russian media effective? Based on an online survey of Russians conducted in March 2014 during the midst of the Crimea conflict, we examined these media dynamics and evaluated the competing influence of Western and Russian media on Russian public opinion.

Dr. Erik Nisbet, Associate Professor of Communication at the Ohio State University, examined comparative political communication and the process of opinion formation.

The discussion and presentation was moderated by Professor Robert English, Director of the USC Dornsife School of International Relations.