Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

Media war during fighting between Russia and Georgia in the south Ossetia in 2008 included two different strategies. First strategy was based on targeted persuasion aimed to direct and manage public opinion which has been developed during last century throughout academic studies and experience of western scholars in the field of psychological war. Media in west used this method against Russia resulting many advantages and successes for Georgia. On the other side, Russia undertook second strategy rooted into a narrow minded, fixed and singled dimension approach which was based on governmental organized mass communication and mass media. This method of managing communication and media had been shaped by the media culture remained from previous communist administration which prevented Russia to respond effectively in different situations during the war in production, process, distribution and evaluation of the war of information to meet the expectations in the new century.