New Policy of Authorities, Directed to Social Networks

***

What is the level of influence of social networks on public opinion?

Observations show that, mainly in the country, public opinion is created not by TV, but by social networks. Adult active people for the most part keep track of daily news, serious political analysis, social and political discussions and discussions in social networks. The information blockade that existed in the country for a long time is gradually being destroyed.

Citizens have the opportunity to express an alternative opinion and to make comparisons; they are trying to use the opportunity to express themselves. The rapid development of mobile communications and Internet communications technology makes information more and more accessible to people. The growth of operational-virtual relations between people also gives a positive impetus, and social activity in all areas of society is growing.

At the same time, all the opportunities blocked for the legitimate activities of the opposition force it to be even more active in social networks. And although the activity of the opposition in social networks is not systemic, it is ahead of the authorities in the whole virtual plane. From the monitoring and polls conducted in connection with the National Council rally on January 19, 2019, 82% of the respondents who participated in the rally learned about it from social networks.

Do the authorities have the technical ability to interfere with social networks?

From a technical point of view, it is impossible to completely block social networks. If the Internet is available, this step will not be effective. Full Internet shutdown in the country is an exception.

The authorities, although they tried several times to establish control in social networks, failed to achieve a successful result. They have recently tested blocking many independent and opposition websites. However, the political and psychological opposite effect of these decisions turned out to be stronger for the government. Due to the fact that, through numerous support programs, entry to these websites became possible from within the country, these decisions are no longer serious.

And the practice of monitoring in social networks by law enforcement agencies ended in a big failure. The arrest of social network activists was unambiguously regarded as a strangulation of freedom of expression, which caused additional pressure on the country in international reports. At the same time, new activists from abroad have taken the place of the criticizing socio-political activists who observe certain ethical and legal frameworks. Inside the country, these broadcasters gathered the audience quite quickly, and this became a more significant problem for the authorities. The authorities did not expect this boomerang effect, subjected to criticism and insults that went beyond all moral limits.

How are the authorities trying to control virtual reality?

The failure of attempts to localize the activities of social networks with administrative measures forced the authorities to resort to a new method in this respect, about which the corresponding work is carried out mainly in two directions.

This is, firstly, a massive "troll" interference in the work of opposition and independent sites with numerous visitors, and secondly, the active participation in social networks by government representatives and those supporting the government"s policies.

Observations show that very primitively organized trolling works entirely against the authorities themselves, and has no influence on the formation of virtual public opinion. And in its implementation, mainly based on defensive tactics, government fans look very weak and helpless in the eyes of outside observers. In addition, the mercenary and voluntary performers themselves have serious doubts about the prospects of the government.

At the same time, the entire negative charge of non-topic pattern comments, insults, blackening and bullying is boomerang to the authorities themselves. For some reason, all these "fans" avoid open, reasoned virtual discussions. And often they consider their "mission" to be repeated by repeating the same comments under different names during the hour of the live broadcast.

A relatively more effective form of trolling against the opposition consists mainly of a direct, by telephone call, connection to a live broadcast of specially trained individuals. This professional group of people of both sexes regularly calls the studio during live broadcasts, speaks dialects from different regions, and sharply outlines the problems in the country.

By acute criticism of the authorities, they are trying to gain the confidence of the audience and attract attention to themselves. And at the crucial moment, using specially formulated expressions against the opposition, they sow the seeds of doubt and confusion into the minds of ordinary viewers.

It is yet difficult to clearly assess the new techniques of the second type. Live performances of representatives and supporters of the authorities in social networks and their attempts to express an active position, a tendency to debate in general, is a positive phenomenon. And compared with the previous measures of administrative pressure, this method can be considered much more successful. The creation by supporters of the authorities of new virtual broadcasting platforms, connecting to social and political discussions in social networks is a positive trend.

How can power activity in social networks end?

Until recent years, TV has mainly influenced public opinion. On television, there were persons who, without exception, supported the policy of the authorities on the air. Currently, the country's social networks have presented numerous new leaders of public opinion. Most of them express the true will of society. Without solving social problems in the country, eliminating negativity due to the violation of rights and freedoms, without holding free elections, it will be difficult to get the support of such leaders. And then, in the presence of these problems, it will be more difficult for the authorities and their supporters to join the open discussions, as this will have no effect. The new social and political atmosphere so rapidly created by social networks makes it necessary to reform the government. Starting from the causes and the approach to problems, to fundamental changes in the management system is an inevitable process.