How Propaganda Became Entertaining
Social media has become a weapon of war for Ukrainians, and through it, President Volodymyr Zelensky has emerged as a global star. His virtual appeals for international support, such as his recent message to Congress, and videos that show him and top Ukrainian officials bravely standing their ground in Kyiv are helping him win the fight for public opinion. Ordinary Ukrainians have followed his example, answering his administration’s call for an “IT army” by creating viral posts on Twitter and TikTok. They are effectively combatting a Russian disinformation strategy that has, in the recent past, wreaked havoc on democracies including the United States.
This wartime communications effort may use novel digital tools, but the strategy has roots in , when the United States used multiple forms of communication—notably newer ones such as radio and motion pictures—to inspire, inform, and instruct soldiers and
