Recommendations for Improving Information Policy and Shaping an Objective Image of Russia in the German-language Media Space
( Pp. 110-121)

The purpose of the study. To identify and characterize dominant narratives about Russia in the German-language media; to analyze mechanisms of stereotype formation and emotional framing; to assess the role of digital platforms in amplifying or fragmenting those narratives; and to evaluate the potential of public and digital diplomacy to mitigate biased interpretations. The study also formulates practical recommendations to improve information policy and promote a more balanced image of Russia abroad. The study addresses how the German-language media construct the image of Russia and why this matters for international communication, public diplomacy and bilateral relations. Negative and emotionally charged media representations influence public perceptions, policy debates and the efficacy of Russian public diplomacy in Europe, making systematic analysis of these processes timely and important. The research combined several complementary approaches, namely: content and discourse analysis of selected German-language outlets (press, TV and online); comparative case studies of high-visibility episodes and headlines; examination of digital media dynamics (social platforms, blogs, user generated content) and their interaction with mainstream media; policy analysis of Russian public/digital diplomacy initiatives and secondary literature review. Results. The study demonstrates a predominance of negative narratives in the German-language media shaped by geopolitical context and editorial strategies. Key mechanisms include selective event coverage, emotionally charged framing, use of metaphors and stereotypes, and strategic expert selection. Digital platforms both reinforce mainstream frames (through virality and echo chambers) and create space for alternative narratives. Public and digital diplomacy can partially counterbalance biased portrayals, yet their effectiveness is limited by trust deficits, questions of credibility, and insufficient institutional coordination. Findings are relevant for scholars of media and international communication, practitioners of public diplomacy, policy-makers concerned with information policy, and media organizations seeking to improve cross-cultural reporting. The recommendations can inform the design of targeted communication strategies and evaluation metrics. The analysis shows that media constructions of Russia in the German-language sphere are structurally linked to political cycles and media logic; addressing bias requires not only reactive content production but systemic, multi-level communication reforms. Strengthening credibility, institutional coordination, multilingual outreach and media-literacy efforts are critical for fostering a more balanced international image. The study contributes to a more nuanced theoretical and practical understanding of how media, digital ecosystems and diplomacy jointly shape the political image of states.

Shangaraev, R.N., Grebenshchikova, D.E. (2026). Recommendations for improving information policy and shaping an objective image of Russia in the German-language media space. Sociopolitical Sciences, 16(1), 110–121. DOI: 10.33693/2223-0092-2026-16-1-110-121. EDN: KETIVI

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German-language media, information policy, media image, media narrative, disinformation, stereotypes, public diplomacy, digital diplomacy, international communication.