Oral Presentations
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Robert Saldin
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Political Science
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The research project will revolve around Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa and the effects of those campaigns on African democracies. The project will also include explanations of the intersection of reliable information and functioning democracy as well as Russian motivations behind the campaigns.
As a political science and journalism student, I am interested in misinformation/disinformation and how/why it is so influential in the health of a democracy. I’ve done research into these phenomena in the United States, but the Russian attacks in Africa appear to be more coordinated. Additionally, African democracies have become increasingly more unstable and I would like to know if these disinformation campaigns are playing a major role in the instability. In the United States, the intersection between media and politics is growing rapidly. The media, including social media platforms, has a significant amount of power over the electorate. If we can analyze the tactics and effects of Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa, we can be proactive in preventing, or at least minimizing, an attack of similar nature here at home.
I plan to do significant research into all four of the tentative outcomes. This will likely be done through internet and book research, with the potential of interviews with experts and professionals.
Outcome 1: Adequately define and explain the role of information in a healthy democracy.
Outcome 2: Thoroughly explain Russia’s motives and methods in conducting disinformation campaigns in Africa.
Outcome 3: Analyze the effect of Russian disinformation campaigns on African democracies.
Outcome 4: Prescribe potential policy for governments, potentially including African governments and international organizations such as the UN.
Category
Social Sciences
Disinformation's Detriment to Democracy: A Russian-African Case Study
UC 332
The research project will revolve around Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa and the effects of those campaigns on African democracies. The project will also include explanations of the intersection of reliable information and functioning democracy as well as Russian motivations behind the campaigns.
As a political science and journalism student, I am interested in misinformation/disinformation and how/why it is so influential in the health of a democracy. I’ve done research into these phenomena in the United States, but the Russian attacks in Africa appear to be more coordinated. Additionally, African democracies have become increasingly more unstable and I would like to know if these disinformation campaigns are playing a major role in the instability. In the United States, the intersection between media and politics is growing rapidly. The media, including social media platforms, has a significant amount of power over the electorate. If we can analyze the tactics and effects of Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa, we can be proactive in preventing, or at least minimizing, an attack of similar nature here at home.
I plan to do significant research into all four of the tentative outcomes. This will likely be done through internet and book research, with the potential of interviews with experts and professionals.
Outcome 1: Adequately define and explain the role of information in a healthy democracy.
Outcome 2: Thoroughly explain Russia’s motives and methods in conducting disinformation campaigns in Africa.
Outcome 3: Analyze the effect of Russian disinformation campaigns on African democracies.
Outcome 4: Prescribe potential policy for governments, potentially including African governments and international organizations such as the UN.