Expert approaches to the investigation of social networks on the internet in the post-Soviet space: Moldova case

The impact of social networks in the modern world is difficult to overestimate. They have become a full-fledged channel of political communication and influence on public opinion. In the case of using special analysis methods (cognitive maps, content analysis, conceptual models, intent analysis, etc.), the materials of social networks offer great opportunities for predicting the collective behavior of the population. In this article, the authors set themselves the task of reviewing current research and approaches to the analysis of social networks in the post-Soviet space. The authors' hypothesis is that pro-western countries often choose Facebook as the main platform for communication on the Internet, whereas Russian-language networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki are considered as dangerous platforms promoting «Russian propaganda». The article makes a review of statistics on the use of different social networks in the countries of the near abroad. The results show, that the most popular are still the Russian-speaking networks, despite the intensive influence of western powers. At the same time, some Central Asian countries still have no the full access to Internet and that means the limited influence of social networks on population. The material of a specific study shows how partial distortion of data and conclusions regarding the use of social networks in the post-Soviet space occurs. Due to some peculiarities of Russian soft power strategy, its politics is usually categorized as propaganda. So, the results of social networks investigation may result in political statements, but not the scientific outcome.