CONSPIRACY DISCOURSE OF RUSSIAN COVID-DISSIDENTS IN SOCIAL NETWORKS

(ON THE EXAMPLE OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES IN VKONTAKTE)

Abstract

This paper examines the conspiracy discourse of Russian covid-dissidents. The use of conspiracy theories is typical of radical covid dissidents who have become more active in recent times. Social networks play a significant role in the spread of conspiracy theories. As part of the study, it was decided to limit ourselves to the consideration of virtual anti-vaccination communities created in the largest social media in Russia - Vkontakte. These communities are a significant resource for anti-vaccine mobilization.To analyze the posts of online communities, manual quantitative content analysis was used. The study showed an intense discussion of issues related to covid-19. At the same time, the analysis revealed a clear increase in the discussion of the pandemic in November 2021 around the preparation for the adoption of laws on QR codes in the State Duma. The analysis revealed a significant proportion of conspiracy posts. As the study showed, almost all known conspiracy theories related to the covid-19 pandemic and appearing in various states were present to varying degrees in the analyzed online communities. In general, the authors most often addressed three topics: the use of the covid-19 virus to establish total control; the role of globalist forces and the use of covid-19 to fight for power in Russia or a conspiracy of part of the elites. At the same time, the study revealed that different conspiracy theories were brought to the fore in different communities, which is partly due to the organizers of the communities using them, for example, to draw attention to certain protests. The analysis showed a weak digital participation of network users. On the other hand, as the study revealed, other social media played a serious role in the spread of conspiracy theories.

Keywords:

covid-19, covid dissidents, conspiracy theories, social media