MAIN DIMENSIONS OF DIGITALIZATION IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIAN STUDIES ON POLITICAL COMMUNICATION

Digitalization has affected the landscape of political communication, turning it into a complex, multi-layered and dynamic phenomenon, where the boundaries between information, propaganda and public diplomacy are becoming increasingly blurred. This paper presents a comparative analysis of several collective scientific works focused on current aspects of digital transformation in the political sphere. The review examines researchers’ approaches to aspects such as digital propaganda, political influence in the online space, and the ethics of digital interaction. The need to develop new theoretical and methodological frameworks for analyzing political communication in the digital environment, capable of taking into account the interdisciplinary nature of current changes, is emphasized. The analysis not only outlines the field of current scientific discussions but also highlights the challenges facing political science and society: from regulating digital platforms to maintaining citizens’ trust amid the mass automation of political decisions and communication strategies.