The language of public communication in the contemporary media space: Analytics, risks, and threats to information security

Abstract

This study is relevant because of the rapid transformation of the media space, in which digital platforms have become the main channel of communication while creating new risks for information security. The growing scale of disinformation, algorithmic manipulation, and hybrid information attacks requires a comprehensive scientific analysis of their impact on public consciousness and public administration. The purpose of the study is to investigate the peculiarities of public communication in the modern media space, to identify key risks to information security and to characterize methodological approaches to their assessment. The methodological basis of the study is the content analysis of international statistical sources, bibliometric analysis of scientific publications and classification of the main threats. As a result, social networks in Ukraine play a more significant role in news consumption than in countries with an established media system does, which increases the risks of manipulation. The main groups of threats—technological, information and communication, sociopsychological, political, cybersecurity, and international—are systematized, forming a multilevel set of challenges. It is shown that algorithmic restrictions create information bubbles that increase the polarization of society, whereas hybrid campaigns undermine trust in institutions and the media. The practical significance of this work lies in the possibility of using the results to formulate state strategies to counter disinformation, develop media literacy education programs, and implement digital systems for monitoring information flows. The proposed methodological approaches can be used for further interdisciplinary research and development of tools to ensure the sustainability of the information environment.