Throughout our phone calls, we discussed the role that the web played in the Russian society, particularly in light of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The web has allowed us to connect with people throughout the world. It has allowed for almost instant understanding of what is happening all across the world.
The web has allowed for less centralization and safeguarding of information. In Russia, we saw that newspapers, primarily sponsored by the state, prevented information and true public opinion from being spread in the forms of propaganda. This was also reflected in some of the main social media Vkontakte, where information was sometimes hidden in similar fashion to Facebook/Twitter and various social medias.
The rise of Telegram became a decentralized and privatized variation of sharing information. This has been the primary form of sharing information during this time when the state has forcefully presented information in a way that suits their overarching objectives. The rise of the web has enabled real-time commentary. Social medias such as TikTok have allowed users around the world to see the widespread effects of war and be able to contribute in some way towards the construction of peace.
All in all, the ubiquitous nature of the web has enabled a democratization of information, where in the perfect case, history and current events can be examined towards truth.
