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Abstract

This study aims to delve into the profound influence of Facebook posts by 'informational influencers' on the public's perception of building a nuclear power station in Kazakhstan. These 'Informational influencers' are not mere conveyors of information but formidable entities capable of significantly shaping public opinion, thereby legitimizing decision-makers actions.

It was widely acknowledged that the Kazakhstani media sphere has witnessed the emergence of 'paid bloggers' as opinion shapers. This unique aspect of the media landscape in Kazakhstan is a pivotal focus of this study, underscoring its novelty and significance. Bloggers have been under government scrutiny since 2012, particularly after the Zhanaozen events. The term 'Bloody bloggers' was coined to describe pro-government bloggers who justified government actions (Beisembayeva, et.al, 2023). Guriev and Treisman (2022) termed this new method of 21st-century dictators as a spin dictatorship. To explore this phenomenon in the Kazakhstani media sphere, the paper selected the case of nuclear power station building decisions in 2024. In October of 2024, Kazakhstan held its first referendum on building the nuclear power station, and more than 70% of voters agreed with this decision.

The research question, 'How do Facebook influencers frame public opinion using media manipulation theory, and what types of frames were used in shaping the decision to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?' is of paramount importance in understanding the pivotal role of social media in shaping public opinion. The answer to this question will provide crucial insights into the dynamics of public opinion formation. Therefore, the primary focus of this study was to identify the manipulation of public opinion using social media platforms in significant decision-making processes.

As a result, the content analysis revealed four primary categories through which Facebook influencers framed the NPP: energy independence, energy safety, the invitation to the referendum, and alternative energy. In-depth interviews demonstrated that this phenomenon is unique and that the content of these posts is similar to one another; it concerns media experts because the government has even started to spend money openly in this way; it will help future studies to identify the government's narratives in particular events; despite that, the free voices also were heard. The analysis demonstrated that Kazakh informational influencers put considerable effort into justifying the government's decision to build an NPP and its significance for the future lives of Kazakh citizens.

#Media Manipulation #Facebook influencers #Kazakhstan