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Освітньо-професійна програма / Освітньо-наукова програма: Медіа та комунікації
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Item The use of digital platforms in a crisis: the case of Telegram during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine 2022 : dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy(2025) Gordiienko, Tetiana; Orlova, DariyaThe dissertation examines the use of the Telegram digital platform as a source of information during crisis situations, focusing on the case of Ukraine following the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. It investigates the motivations and selection rationale behind user adoption, the role of platform affordances in shaping media consumption patterns, and the strategies employed by both users and media professionals. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These events led to large-scale destruction, a migration crisis, and the biggest global human-caused shock the world has experienced in recent decades. In addition to the above-mentioned series of changes, this disruptive event also triggered alterations in the distribution and consumption of news in digital space. According to the NGO Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication, since the invasion of the Russian army in February 2022, the number of Ukrainians who primarily read news on Telegram channels has almost doubled (UIMC report contains data for 2023). However, digital platforms increasingly became linked to the spread of propaganda, misinformation, disinformation, and the manipulation of the information environment. And in the case of the Telegram platform, this is not the only peril that is associated with its functioning. A number of risks associated with using the Telegram platform include privacy and security concerns, as end-to-end encryption in the messenger is not used by default, which can mislead users; almost no moderation and the associated spread of misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, and other harmful content; illicit activities such as fraud, sale of illicit substances or hacking tools; anonymity abuse, as it is easy to hide one’s identity or commit identity fraud using Telegram; risks associated with data storage, as Telegram stores messages (outside secret chats) on its servers, which are subject to legal demands depending on jurisdiction; and risks related to abuse and harassment, as Telegram has been used to spread personal information or private content without consent, especially in unmoderated groups. Although these risks were not in the focus of research questions that were posed within the study, related reflections were present in the self-reporting of the study respondents, both from the side of users and from the side of media professionals who actively use the Telegram platform. There are three primary research questions posed within the study: (1) What features guided users in choosing Telegram as their main platform for news consumption during the crisis? (2) How did the platform’s affordances influence the formation of user news routines? and (3) How do Ukrainian media professionals adapt their professional practices on Telegram in response to user needs and platform constraints during crisis conditions? The study builds on qualitative methods and is situated within the frameworks of Uses and Gratifications, Media Affordances, and Crisis Communication. Drawing on a qualitative methodology involving semi-structured in-depth interviews with both Telegram users and media professionals, the research uncovers how the affordances of Telegram aligned with the urgent information needs of users during a major crisis. The study is based on two datasets, which total 50 in-depth interviews. The first dataset contains 40 interviews with users, while the second dataset contains 10 interviews with editors and media professionals. Including both users and media professionals as informants enhances the analytical depth of the study by allowing a comprehensive two-sided perspective on the use of Telegram for media consumption during crisis situations. Users provide insight into motivations, routines, their subjective responses, and perceptions of trust, control, and information relevance. Media professionals, in turn, offer understanding of platform-specific constraints and editorial strategies they employ in order to address perceived audience needs and expectations. This dual approach reveals the interaction between audience needs and media production choices. The study employed an iterative analysis approach, which allowed for a systematic yet flexible exploration of qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis process was initiated early in the research cycle and continued throughout data collection, emphasizing ongoing reflection and theoretical engagement. The analysis began with first-level descriptive coding to capture recurring patterns. These were followed by the development of second-level analytic codes, enabling the identification of deeper thematic structures. A comprehensive codebook for both datasets was constructed to ensure consistency and alignment with the research questions. The findings reveal a complex intertwining between user agency and platform’s design. Ukrainian users prioritized speed, local specificity, and a sense of control over information consumption, while also encompassing issues of misinformation, emotional overload, and digital security. Important factors for users were also the ability to receive timely notifications about air raid alerts and air threats. In this way, the platform performed a full information cycle, from the initial dissemination of threat warnings to monitoring and then post-event information. User behavior also revealed patterns of selective engagement and self-regulation. While some users engaged heavily, monitoring multiple channels hourly, others implemented limits to manage psychological stress, including muting channels or setting boundaries on news exposure. Telegram’s interface facilitated such strategies through its notification settings, the ability to subscribe discreetly, and an interface free from algorithmic recommendations. Participants highlighted the importance of emotional control and the need to avoid 'doomscrolling,' particularly during periods of high military activity. Features that motivated users to turn to Telegram as their primary platform for media consumption during the crisis period fell into two classes of affordances, according to the MAIN model (Sundar, 2008), namely Modality and Navigability. This finding underscores that though platform features enable certain users’ practices, their needs and experiences influence how those features are regarded and utilized. Telegram’s evolving role is also perceived to be driven both by its affordances and by the broader socio-political context. The research highlights that media professionals adjusted their distribution and operational strategies to meet growing user demand on Telegram, despite limitations in audience analytics and content moderation, and control over its spread and visibility. While media outlets initially perceived the platform as a tool for content distribution, the study found that large newsrooms began to assess the platform differently, giving teams working within it more editorial autonomy and freedom in organizing workflow. Respondents from among media professionals noted that certain types of content are created specifically for Telegram, and in some cases, content on Telegram is published faster, without delays or limitations of editorial practices connected to other media’s channels. Media professionals also emphasized the tension they experience between reach and reliability, noting that Telegram allowed faster reporting but raised concerns about source verification, misinformation, and content proliferation by non-journalistic actors. Informants among media professionals in the study noted that they are able to notice and monitor such manipulative information campaigns implemented within the Telegram platform, but at the same time they feel compelled to also respond to such information waves in some way, even by simply publishing fact-checking or refutation of false rumors or manipulative posts. Thus, the media find themselves involved in such information campaigns although it was not initially part of their strategic and operational plans and workflow. Ultimately, the dissertation contributes to the understanding of emerging digital platforms in crisis communication and audience studies. It underlines the importance of examining under-researched platforms like Telegram, especially in contexts where mainstream media infrastructures are under pressure and the platform in question itself carries a variety of security threats and risks. The study also takes into account the experiences of users in the extreme conditions of full-scale war, presenting a unique perspective for research and policymaking in crisis situations. The study's implications extend to fields of media studies, digital communication, and crisis communication, offering insights into user behavior, platform affordances, and the evolving digital media landscape in Central and Eastern Europe