ECHO CHAMBERS AND FILTER BUBBLES IN THE DIGITAL BATTLEFIELD: MECHANISMS OF PRO-RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA (2022-2024)
ECHO CHAMBERS AND FILTER BUBBLES IN THE DIGITAL BATTLEFIELD: MECHANISMS OF PRO-RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA (2022-2024)

Author(s): Rafał ROMAŃSKI
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Communication studies, Fake News - Disinformation, Hybrid Warfare
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: echo chambers; filter bubbles; disinformation; hybrid warfare; algorithmic personalization; cognitive bias;
Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the mechanisms of disinformation dissemination on social media through the lens of echo chambers and filter bubbles. Particular attention is devoted to pro-Russian narratives circulating in the digital sphere between February 2022 and December 2024, within the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The study is based on a systematic review of scholarly literature and expert reports on the informational architecture of digital platforms, as well as the psychological and social mechanisms conducive to informational isolation. The analysis encompasses four platforms with varied structural configurations: Facebook, VKontakte, Reddit, and 4chan. Each of these platforms reveals distinct manifestations of echo chambers and filter bubbles, alongside specific patterns of disinformation narratives. Findings indicate that both algorithmic recommendation systems and community dynamics contribute to the formation of informational environments that foster polarization and reinforce manipulative content. The article emphasizes the synergistic interaction of technological and psychological factors that amplify users’ vulnerability to disinformation. On this basis, conclusions are drawn regarding the necessity of strengthening informational resilience, developing media literacy, and critically re-evaluating the role of social media platforms as actors in contemporary cognitive conflicts.

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