Comprop Computational Propaganda on Reddit.com (2013-2022)

This dissertation concerns the use of computational propaganda, or the use of bots, trolls, algorithms, disinformation, misinformation, and astroturfing campaigns on the social media website reddit.com. Simple heuristics and tools like Word2vec are used to identify ideological groups of users. Three separate case studies include the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2013, the 2016 presidential election in the United States, and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. They establish the historic context of advances in communication technology and find evidence of ideological capture by pro-Russian and other users.