WHITE BROTHERHOOD, EMBASSY OF GOD, AND HASIDISM IN THE INFORMATIONAL SPACE OF UKRAINE

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . This article explores the specifics of the informational representation of three religious movements – White Brotherhood, Embassy of God, and Hasidism – in the Ukrainian media landscape. The relevance of the study stems from the transformation of the informational environment under conditions of post-totalitarian pluralism, hybrid threats, and religious polyvalence. Special attention is paid to how mass media construct the image of religious"otherness" and influence public attitudes toward religious communities in the context of interfaith interaction and information security.

M e t o d s . The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines tools from religious studies, sociology of religion, media studies, and critical discourse analysis. A comparative-historical method is used to trace the origins and transformations of the movements, while a structural-functional approach identifies their social roles. Content analysis of both traditional and digital media is employed alongside the principles of strategic communication theory.

R e s u l t s . The findings demonstrate that the White Brotherhood is represented as a destructive cult with esoteric-apocalyptic traits; the Embassy of God is portrayed as a charismatic religious movement with social outreach but also a controversial media image; and Hasidism is framed as a traditional branch of Judaism, perceived simultaneously as part of cultural heritage and a target of domestic criticism. The media representation of these movements significantly affects interethnic relations, the level of religious tolerance, and civic trust amid wartime conditions and social polarization.

C o n c l u s i o n s . The representation of religious communities in the media serves not only aninformative but also a normative function, shaping public perceptions of legitimacy, threat, or acceptability of religious "otherness." The article substantiates the need to develop an ethical media code for the coverage of religious topics, which would help reduce stigmatization, strength enstrategic communication, and foster interfaith dialogue in Ukraine.