Mechanisms for building societal resilience to information manipulation in wartime

Abstract

The modern information space is characterized by a transition from isolated disinformation messages to complexly organized network ecosystems that combine localized narratives, coordinated campaigns, and technological tools, including content generated using artificial intelligence. In such conditions, the problem of forming the information resilience of society as a component of national and cognitive security becomes particularly relevant. The aim of the study is to theoretically comprehend and empirically substantiate an integrated model for forming the information resilience of society in wartime by analyzing the mechanisms of information manipulation and practices for neutralizing them. To achieve this goal, a set of general scientific and special research methods was used, including analysis and synthesis to generalize scientific approaches, content and case analysis to study specific examples of information aggression, systemic and structural-functional approaches to build an integrated model of resilience, as well as a comparative method to compare types of threats and mechanisms for their neutralization. The study found that modern information manipulation is multi-level and cumulative in nature and is implemented through network communication ecosystems, the effectiveness of which is determined by a combination of emotional framing, message legitimization, and technological scaling. The feasibility of an integrated approach to building information resilience is justified, combining individual skills of critical perception of information, social mechanisms of trust and horizontal verification, institutional tools of strategic and crisis communications, as well as platform and technological solutions for moderation and detection of manipulative content. The conclusions indicate that information manipulation in wartime is systemic and networked in nature, and effective countermeasures are only possible on the basis of an integrated model for building information resilience in society, which combines individual, social, institutional, and technological mechanisms and ensures a coordinated response from the state, the media, and digital platforms.