Manipulative techniques in shaping the political agenda (on the example of Euronews channel)

Abstract

Under the influence of modern geopolitical processes the media are increasingly resorting to manipulative techniques and techniques. The article examines the information activities of the Euronews channel and the its role in shaping the political agenda. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing media confrontation between European countries and Russia in light of the crisis in Ukraine in 2022 – 2023. The purpose of the study is to identify methods for generating content and managing information flow. The study us based on the content analysis of the materials retrieved from the official Euronews website (in English) from the point of view of the phenomenon of linear communication “source – communication channel – recipient”. The author shows the general approaches to the design of the news agenda of the Euronews and the types of manipulative influence on the audience used in the materials. The study showed that (a) the content is formed on the principle of filtering the information flow and broadcasting selective information; (b) the most commonly used key messages include exploitation of intimidating themes, shock content and asymmetrical argumentation.