Supervisors info:
«Ειδική_Επ_Καθοδήγηση» Δημήτριος Σιώτης MSc Οικονομολόγος,
Δρ. Λέκκας Ευθύμιος, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Γεωλογίας και Γεωπεριβάλλοντος, ΕΚΠΑ,
Δρ. Σ. Μπλαβούκος, Αναπλ. Καθηγητής ΟΠΑ,
Δρ. Γ. Δανάμος, Δρ. Γεωλόγος, Ε.Δ.Ι.Π. Τμήμα Γεωλογίας και Γεωπεριβάλλοντος ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The present thesis is a reflection of contemporary reality, since Communication, through
its media, has intruded into all aspects of our everyday life, playing a catalytic role in shaping
public opinion. It should not be forgotten that the mass media are described as the 'Fourth Estate',
a term that reflects the power and role they play, in social and political-economic life.
Through this paper, an approach focusing on periods of crises and conflicts will be
attempted, since over time, public information in these periods has generally relied on the Mass
Media and social media, rather than on official sources. The systematic use of the aforementioned
media in crises and conflicts, has made them protagonists in shaping the information
environment, since they are particularly widespread, easily accessible to the general public,
cheap to use and quick to transmit information.
Similarly, in times of crisis or conflict, State’s official institutions, led by the Armed Forces,
are particularly sparing about the extraction of information, to avoid the dissemination of critical
or classified information, that would have a negative impact on their strategy. In this respect, the
above role of state institutions, has traditionally been substituted by the media.
The above role is a weapon in the quiver of the Armed Forces and a critical and decisive
factor in the exercise of Psychological and Information Operations, in order to shape public
opinion. The Information and Psychological Operations, practiced by the Armed Forces, are
undoubtedly a force multiplier in the conduct of warfare. This is achieved through the practice of
influence, the dissemination of false information aimed at destabilizing the opposing public opinion
and lowering the morale of combatants and the civilian population. The obvious result of these
practices is that the camp that prevails in shaping the information environment will inevitably be
the winner of any crisis or conflict.
Following the above, this thesis will take a conceptual approach to the modern Media and
the Information and Psychological Operations that are triggered in times of crisis or conflict.
Furthermore, it will be justified why Information and Psychological Operations are a power factor
for each country, while the components of all the above factors and the role and influence of the
Media in times of crises or conflicts, will be analyzed in relation to the catalytic factor of public
opinion.
In addition, the importance of communication over time, in shaping public opinion, at the
global level will be analyzed in detail, through the study of some case studies, while finally, useful
conclusions will be drawn on the subject and proposals will be made regarding the appropriate way to use communication and its media, in order to shape public opinion, in times of crises and
conflicts, by the Armed Forces and the Official State.
Key words: Mass Media, Social Media, Information Operations, Crisis - Conflict, Public Opinion
Keywords:
Mass Media, Social Media, Information Operations, Crisis - Conflict, Public Opinion
