The transformation of the journalism profession in the Russia-Ukraine conffict
Zhenzhen Wu
Università di Bologna
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pmcs.v7i4.12798
Keywords: OSINT; social media; information accuracy; investigative journalism; digital ethics; information warfare
Abstract
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has markedly transformed journalism by intertwining physical battlefield dynamics with digital information warfare. This shift has challenged the conventional model of on-the-ground reporting, as the profession now faces competition from new actors utilizing social media and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). Leveraging platforms like Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube, these individuals and groups use techniques such as data mining, online collaboration, and crowd-sourced verification to collect and authenticate conflict-related information. The integration of social media footage, satellite imagery, and geolocation tools has enabled remote, detailed conflict analysis, establishing OSINT practitioners as vital contributors to contemporary war coverage. This paper analyzes the transformation of the journalist's role amid the Russia–Ukraine war, drawing on case studies of the Bucha massacre investigation and the bombing of the Mariupol theater. It examines how reporters utilize digital tools and online platforms for investigative work, while navigating issues of informational accuracy, manipulation, and journalistic ethics. The study ffnds that while OSINT does not substitute for traditional ffeldwork, it offers journalists innovative approaches for source and fact veriffcation in highly complex and contested information environments.
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