Algorithmic Mediation and Digital Platforms: Constructing Collective Consciousness in Wartime Ukraine
Keywords:
Algorithmic Curation, Collective Identity Formation, Media Framing Analysis, Networked Public Opinion, Social Media Influence
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The research examined how Internet media shape the collective consciousness of Ukrainians during ongoing social change and armed conflict. It identifies the major trends, thematic priorities, and influence mechanisms used by leading Ukrainian online outlets to mold public opinion.
Methodology: The study used a multi-method design that blended quantitative and qualitative tools. Content analysis clarified the thematic focus and narrative patterns across selected media outlets. Mediametric and platform-aware analysis helped quantify how distribution algorithms, platform mechanisms, and engagement tools amplify certain narratives. This made it possible to track how digital platform architecture shapes narrative visibility and public resonance. A nationwide sociological survey of 1,600 respondents captured broader public perceptions.
Main Findings: The findings reveal a significant differentiation in editorial strategies among Ukrainian online media. Content analysis indicates that UNIAN demonstrates the strongest emphasis on heroic narratives (55% of materials), whereas RBC-Ukraine shows a notably lower focus (35%). These editorial strategies and their divergent public impact are critically enabled and modulated by the underlying digital infrastructure, including algorithmic content prioritization and platform-afforded engagement loops, highlighting the need to analyze media influence through a techno-social lens.
Novelty/Originality of this study: Online media play a decisive role in shaping public opinion in Ukraine, largely through how they frame self-identification, language policy, and views on the ongoing conflict. The study adds a media-technological lens to understanding collective consciousness, highlighting the impact of algorithmic curation, platform design, and data-driven narratives on opinion formation in wartime conditions.
References
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[2] J. O. Weatherall, and C. O’Connor, “Fake news!”, Philosophy Compass, vol. 19, no. 6, art. e13005, 2024. doi: 10.1111/phc3.13005.
[3] S. N. Yousafzai, H. Shahbaz, A. Ali, A. Qamar, I. M. Nasir, S. Tehsin, M. A. Khan, M. H. Mughal, S. M. Mirza, and U. I. Bajwa, “X-News dataset for online news categorization”, International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 737–758, 2024. doi: 10.1108/IJICC-04-2024-0184.
[4] S. Hinterreiter, T. Spinde, S. Oberdörfer, I. Echizen, and M. E. Latoschik, “News ninja: Gamified annotation of linguistic bias in online news”, Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, vol. 8, no. CHI PLAY, art. 327, 2024. doi: 10.1145/3677092.
[5] S. Saodat, M. Nargiza, I. Mukaddas, and G. Maksuda, “Specificity of massmedia aspect in media text formation”, Elementary Education Online, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 455–460, 2021. doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2021.05.48.
[6] M. Tacu, “Mass media in the Republic of Moldova and building resilience against disinformation in covering the European path”, International Journal of Communication Research, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 216–220, 2024. Available in: https://www.ijcr.eu/articole/686_Mariana%20tacu.pdf (22.11.2025).
[7] R. Shirley, C. Silverman, C. Tran, and M. A. Nippold, “Narrative discourse in youth offenders: Examining individual differences”, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1193–1208, 2024. doi: 10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00240.
[8] H. Gallois, “Discourse, narrative, and voice: The power of communicating bioethics through the media”, Canadian Journal of Bioethics, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 23–25, 2024. doi: 10.7202/1110324ar.
[9] Z. Dubský, and L. Tichý, “The role of narratives in the discourse on energy security of the European Commission: The EU's transition in energy relations with Russia”, The Extractive Industries and Society, vol. 17, art. 101392, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2023.101392.
[10] M. Cowburn, and M. Sältzer, “Partisan communication in two-stage elections: The effect of primaries on intra-campaign positional shifts in congressional elections”, Political Science Research and Methods, pp. 1–20, 2024. doi: 10.1017/psrm.2023.62.
[11] F. Thiele, “The development of media from symbols to algorithmic media and its effects on power structures, communication and agency”, Journal of Creative Communications, art. 09732586241281018, 2024. doi: 10.1177/09732586241281018.
[12] T. Shelupakhina, “Identity in the context of spectacular forms of mass communication”, Philosophical Horizons, vol. 48, pp. 40–48, 2024. doi: 10.33989/2075-1443.2024.48.308044.
[13] Y. Sun, and Y. Zhang, “A review of theories and models applied in studies of social media addiction and implications for future research”, Addictive Behaviors, vol. 114, art. 106699, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106699.
[14] K. Shamsie, “Social stratification and class consciousness in contemporary society”, Journal of Political Stability Archives, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 49–60, 2024. Available in: http://journalpsa.com/index.php/JPSA/article/view/26 (22.11.2025).
[15] P. Gerbaudo, “From individual affectedness to collective identity: Personal testimony campaigns on social media and the logic of collection”, New Media & Society, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 4904–4921, 2024. doi: 10.1177/14614448221128523.
[16] M. Tian, “Research on the dimension of algorithmic consciousness composition and construction of evaluation framework in the age of digital intelligence”, in 24th Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society (ITS): New bottles for new wine: Digital transformation demands new policies and strategies. Seoul: International Telecommunications Society (ITS), 2024. Available in: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/302488 (22.11.2025).
[17] O. Kushnir, N. Bila, O. Medynska, and H. Synorub, “Verbalisation of emotions in Ukrainian online media”, Communication and Communicative Technologies, vol. 24, pp. 5–16, 2024. doi: 10.15421/292401
[18] M. Navalna, N. Kostusiak, Y. Sazonova, O. Prosianyk, O. Skliarenko, Y. Chernobrov, M. Mykhailyshyn, L. Dmytrenko, I. Serhiienko, and A. Ruda, “Invective vocabulary in the language of the Ukrainian mass media during the Russia-Ukraine war: Stylistic layers and pragmatics of meaning”, AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, vol. 14, no. 1, Spec. Issue XL, pp. 47–53, 2024. Available in: https://www.magnanimitas.cz/ADALTA/140140/papers/A_07.pdf (22.11.2025).
[19] B. Ivanytska, N. Stoliarchuk, V. Shostak, O. Moskvych, and M. Aleksandrova, “Representation and diversity of Ukrainian culture in contemporary media: Impact, challenges and prospects”, Multidisciplinary Science Journal, vol. 6, art. 2024ss0225, 2024. doi: 10.31893/multiscience.2024ss0225
[20] Public Religion Research Institute. Threats to American democracy ahead of an unprecedented presidential election, 2023. Available in: https://www.prri.org/research/threats-to-american-democracy-ahead-of-an-unprecedented-presidential-election/ (22.11.2025).
[21] C. Wlezien, “News and public opinion: Which comes first?”, Journal of Politics, vol. 86, no. 1, pp. 1–17, 2024. doi: 10.1086/726940.
[22] W. Qi, J. Pan, H. Lyu, and J. Luo, “Excitements and concerns in the post-ChatGPT era: Deciphering public perception of AI through social media analysis”, Telematics and Informatics, vol. 92, art. 102158, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.tele.2024.102158.
[23] S. K. Revutska, “National consciousness of Ukrainians under the media influence”, Intellect. Personality. Civilization, vol. 1, no. 22, pp. 91–98, 2022. doi: 10.33274/2079-4835-2021-22-2-91-98.
[24] V. S. Kostyniuk, and R. V. Sopivnyk, “The influence of social networks and mass media on the formation of national identity of youth”, Modern Humanities as Interpreted by Young Researchers, pp. 151–153, 2024. Available in: https://nubip.edu.ua/sites/default/files/u278/zbirnik_tez_2024.pdf#page=151 (22.11.2025).
[25] M. Kholmuminov, and A. Qolqanatov, “The formation of the first libraries in Uzbekistan and the role of increasing the cultural and educational awareness of the population”, Image, vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 146–151, 2021. doi: 10.17605/ijie.v4i12.2514
[26] S. J. Taylor, L. Muchnik, M. Kumar, and S. Aral, “Identity effects in social media”, Nature Human Behaviour, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 27–37, 2023. doi: 10.1038/s41562-022-01459-8.
[27] M. Spradling, J. Straub, and J. Strong, “Protection from ‘fake news’: The need for descriptive factual labeling for online content”, Future Internet, vol. 13, no. 6, art. 142, 2021. doi: 10.3390/fi13060142.
[28] G. Pennycook, and D. G. Rand, “The psychology of fake news”, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 388–402, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.02.007.
[29] F. Olan, U. Jayawickrama, E. O. Arakpogun, J. Suklan, and S. Liu, “Fake news on social media: The impact on society”, Information Systems Frontiers, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 443–458, 2024.
[30] J. Watson, S. van der Linden, M. Watson, and D. Stillwell, “Negative online news articles are shared more to social media”, Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, art. 21592, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71263-z.
[31] F. Mangold, D. Schoch, and S. Stier, “Ideological self-selection in online news exposure: Evidence from Europe and the US”, Science Advances, vol. 10, no. 37, art. eadg9287, 2024.
[32] S. Khawar, and M. Boukes, “Analyzing sensationalism in news on Twitter (X): Clickbait journalism by legacy vs. online-native outlets and the consequences for user engagement”, Digital Journalism, pp. 1–21, 2024. doi: 10.1080/21670811.2024.2394764.
Published
2025-12-20
How to Cite
Yanishevskyi, O. (2025). Algorithmic Mediation and Digital Platforms: Constructing Collective Consciousness in Wartime Ukraine. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v3i2.2348
Section
Media Technology
Copyright (c) 2025 Oleksandr Yanishevskyi
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