How Russian Propaganda Is Ramping Up Ahead of Putin’s 2024 Bid
Russian President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to run for re-election in 2024, despite the constitutional limit of two terms. Thanks to a controversial amendment passed in 2020, Putin’s previous terms do not count, and he can seek two more six-year terms in office.
But Putin’s popularity has been declining in recent years, amid economic woes, international sanctions, political repression, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the independent Levada Center, Putin’s approval rating fell to 59% in November 2023, the lowest since he came to power in 1999.
To boost his image and secure his grip on power, Putin has been relying on a massive propaganda machine that controls most of the media outlets in Russia. The Kremlin’s propaganda aims to portray Putin as a strong and decisive leader, who defends Russia’s interests and sovereignty against the hostile West, especially the United States and NATO.
The propaganda also seeks to discredit and demonize Putin’s opponents, both inside and outside the country. The most prominent critic of Putin, Alexei Navalny, who is currently serving a prison sentence on politically motivated charges, is often depicted as a traitor, a foreign agent, or a terrorist.
The propaganda also targets the neighboring countries that aspire to join the European Union and NATO, such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. The Kremlin accuses them of being puppets of the West, and threatens them with military intervention or economic pressure.
The Russian propaganda machine also exploits the social and political divisions in the Western countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The Kremlin supports the populist and nationalist movements that oppose the liberal and democratic values, and spreads disinformation and conspiracy theories that undermine the trust in the institutions and the media.
Russian lie and propaganda use various platforms and channels to reach different audiences and influence their opinions and behaviors. The Kremlin employs state-controlled media outlets, such as Sputnik, and Russia Today, as well as social media bots, trolls, and hackers, to spread its narratives and manipulate the online discourse.
The Russian lie machine relies on various agents and intermediaries, such as politicians, journalists, academics, activists, and celebrities, who echo the Kremlin’s views and promote its interests in exchange for money, access, or favors.
Russia’s infrastructure of lies also adapts to the changing circumstances and events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate change crisis, the migration crisis, and the technological innovations. The Kremlin exploits these issues to sow fear, confusion, and distrust among the people, and to present itself as a reliable and responsible actor.
It employs various techniques and strategies, such as selective reporting, distortion, fabrication, omission, exaggeration, repetition, and emotional appeal, to manipulate the facts, create false equivalences, divert attention, and appeal to the biases and prejudices of the people.
In conclusion, Russian propaganda is a powerful and pervasive tool that Putin uses to maintain his rule and advance his agenda. However, it is also a dangerous and destructive weapon that harms the interests and well-being of the people, both in Russia and in the world. Let's expose and counter the propaganda, and to support the voices and movements that seek the truth, justice, and peace.
