Description
Since acquiring independence in the wake of the Soviet collapse, the former Soviet republics have pursued different approaches in their relations with Russia. Growing divergence or maintained proximity in political and economic affairs are often reflected in the degree of openness on the level of culture and information flows; the extent to which Moscow-oriented products, outlets and ownership in education, media, cultural and other related sectors are accepted or resisted by local political actors. Where channels advancing Russian narratives are able to operate freely and uncontested, the narratives they disseminate will tend to be more sympathetically received by audiences than in territories where policies have been enacted to reduce the accessibility of the information space.
This paper will highlight differences in openness to information flows from Moscow between Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Estonia, which are reflected in the findings of attitudinal surveys conducted among target audiences in those countries. It will be argued that variation in receptivity, including the extent of resilience or susceptibility to target narratives, are to be understood as a result of different policies, practices and ideational perspectives characteristic of each case country.
