The influence of Russian foreign state media on public opinion in Western democracies is already known – regardless of its political qualifications. There are well-documented analyzes, e.g. from the US, France and Germany. The European Parliament has repeatedly demanded that member states adopt strategies against “hostile propaganda” by Moscow, The Geopost reports.
A study by the Friedrich Nauman Fundation proves that the situation on the Balkan Peninsula is completely different. Russian media material is very welcome in this region, which often accepts propaganda content through Serbian language media.
“The political elite, as in the largest and most important Balkan country, Serbia, or in the Serb half of Bosnia and Herzegovina, traditionally maintains close ties with Russia. As the political elite – above all President Aleksandar Vucic – controls almost entirely the media landscape, media offers from Russia are very welcome. Because the Serbian print and electronic media suffer from chronically insufficient funding, the free information provided by Russia is gaining even more importance,” wrote the study’s author, Dr. Thomas Brey.
The study says Sputnik and Russia Today are becoming major sources of information on developments in regional and global geopolitics. And this information often does not correspond to the truth. Analyzing Sputnik’s reports, the report finds that journalistic norms and ethics are rarely respected – on the contrary, bias and tendencies prevail.
“The matrix in Sputnik is clear. It does not follow classical journalism – for example, news and commentary are not separate. Resources are treated superficially, much more carelessly and, above all, with a goal in mind. Therefore, the purpose is not to provide exhaustive information, but to promote and achieve political objectives,” the report said.
According to the document, journalists at Sputnik do not think about their work from the reader / user’s point of view, but instead follow a one-sided approach to top-down content. “Figuratively speaking, the exclamation mark is the preferred punctuation mark. The Western media tries (at least ideally) to ask questions independently, so as not to overlook or distort anything. “Their favorite punctuation mark is the question mark,” the study said, comparing Sputnik to Western media.
Key elements of Sputnik’s composition, according to the document, include selective reporting instead of comprehensive reporting; the event does not matter, but the intended place and, because of this, are inflated to an extent that does not correspond to reality; sources in reports are either irrelevant to an issue being covered, biased or disproportionately weighed; focusing on individual events instead of important issues that are placed in the wrong context or described without context; identification of the joint Russian-Serbian base or the path to the supposed fraternities; moralization of issues – Russia and Serbia self-victimize; explanation of Russian foreign policy worldwide in order to create understanding and approval; “evidence” that Russian weapons technology is far more advanced than military technology in the West; glorifying the person of Putin as an ideal leader and role model for senior Serbian (and foreign) politicians; supporting the Serbian and pro-Russian political elite in the region, weakening the opposition; “Evidence” that Western democracies are doomed to fail; the “superiority” of Russia’s politics and economy over the West; influencing the countries of the former Yugoslavia by sowing discord and highlighting differences, e.g. of Serbs against Croats, Albanians, Montenegrins …
The purpose of Sputnik’s propaganda, according to the report, is also to prevent the Balkans from being part of Euro-Atlantic structures. The EU is presented with an exclusively negative light to prevent Serbia and Montenegro from moving forward in the accession negotiations, and demotivating Northern Macedonia to make reforms to start those negotiations.
Media power from Russia in this part of the Balkans, according to the study, ensures that the EU and the US often find themselves lost in this battle. Although the EU is the largest donor and investor in Serbia (accounting for 67 percent of all foreign investment), a large part of the population believes that Russia and China are in the lead in this area. Although Serbia conducts the vast majority of its trade (62 percent) with the EU, many Serbs believe that Russia is the country’s closest economic partner. Serbia, meanwhile, is one of the top three countries in the world to benefit from remittances from Brussels, receiving about 300m euros in non-refundable aid each year. Although the EU is trying to help Serbia build democracy with billions of euros, polls show that most Serbs prefer some form of Russian-style dictatorial government – a “strong leader”.
Surveys conducted as part of the study say that Serbia’s position between the two poles – Russia and the EU – is nevertheless more on Moscow’s side. Nearly 85 percent o serbs surveyed believe that their country does not actually have the international status it deserves. Meanwhile, 70 percent blame the EU for part of it, because it is against Serbia’s interests. About 71 percent see NATO as a threat to European security. In a parallel poll in several countries, only Russian citizens were stronger in this opinion.
Xhelal Neziri- The Geopost contributor from North Macedonia
Milan Radoicic led the terrorist attack in northern Kosovo 
Russia Blames Kosovo Govt For ‘Bloodshed’ 
Home video shows apprehensive Putin in sweatpants – Yle publishes images from secret trip to Finland 
Transatlantic community stands behind Kosovo, responsibility for the armed attack 
Montenegro strongly condemns the attack on Kosovo police and calls for de-escalation of tensions 
Concerned about security, North Macedonia condemns the armed attack in the north of Kosovo
Since the admin of this web site is working, no question very rapidly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.
I needed to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you book marked to look at new things you post…
Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious idea, article is nice, thats why i have read it fully
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody
else know such detailed about my difficulty.
You’re amazing! Thanks!
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This article posted at this website is truly fastidious.
Great info. Lucky me I discovered your site by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve saved it for later!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you
wrote the book in it or something. I think that
you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead
of that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
I’m very pleased to uncover this web site. I wanted to
thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!!
I definitely really liked every bit of it and i also have you
bookmarked to look at new stuff on your website.
Hello there! This blog post could not be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll send this
post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. I
appreciate you for sharing!
Hi there, I found your website by way of Google even as searching for a comparable subject, your
website got here up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google
bookmarks.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and located that it is truly
informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.
I will appreciate for those who continue this in future.
A lot of other people shall be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Hey I am so thrilled I found your site, I really found
you by accident, while I was researching on Yahoo
for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked
it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb job.
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, let
alone the content!
Hi, all the time i used to check blog posts here in the early hours in the daylight,
as i enjoy to find out more and more.
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much,
However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS.
I don’t understand why I am unable to join it.
Is there anyone else having identical RSS issues?
Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
Hello, just wanted to mention, I loved this blog post.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you know afterward you can write
if not it is difficult to write.
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It will always be helpful to read through articles from other writers and practice a little something from other sites.
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, therefore I am going to let know her.
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just
extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you
are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of
to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a tremendous web site.
Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get
a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you protect against
it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is
very much appreciated.
You have made some good points there. I looked
on the internet for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web
site.
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site!
You can trade in your loyalty points for bonus credits, and
you will also receive more perks – in particular if you qualify for the VIP tiers.
Here is my homepage :: read more