Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 5
1.1.
Methodology........................................................................................ 5
Media output and operational resilience ...................................................... 6
2.1.
Quantitative increases in news ........................................................... 6
2.2.
The rise of the independent media...................................................... 7
2.3.
The spread of local reporting .............................................................. 8
2.4.
Reduced information from military-affiliated media ............................. 8
Collapse in public access to news................................................................ 8
3.1.
Significant decline in audience size .................................................... 9
3.2.
The large decline in military-affiliated media reach ............................. 9
3.3.
Countering audience decline with virality and quality ....................... 10
The causes of audience decline .................................................................. 11
4.1.
Blocked by the military’s “Great Firewall” .......................................... 11
4.2.
The surveillance chilling effect .......................................................... 11
4.3.
Increased cost and platform “Enshittification” ................................... 12
4.4.
The problematic role of algorithms .................................................... 12
4.5.
Forced migration to other platforms .................................................. 12
The chilling effect on audience engagement ............................................. 13
5.1.
Increased appreciation of the media ................................................. 13
5.2.
The decline in dissemination ............................................................. 14
5.3.
The silencing of public debate........................................................... 15
Editorial stances and polarisation .............................................................. 17
6.1.
The emergence of pro- and anti-military editorial stances ................ 17
6.2.
The public boycott of the military narrative........................................ 18
6.3.
Public support for exile media ........................................................... 19
6.4.
Declining public interest in impartiality .............................................. 19
6.5.
Increased polarisation ....................................................................... 20
Changes in public sentiment toward news ................................................ 20
7.1.
Supporting trusted media with “Love” reactions ................................ 21
7.2.
Increased anger and shock at atrocities ........................................... 21
7.3.
Collective grief through “Sad Face”................................................... 22
7.4.
Using the “Haha” reaction to “troll” independent media .................... 22
Conclusion .................................................................................................... 22
8.1.
Recommendations ............................................................................ 23
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