Digital media as a tool for non-systemic opposition in Russia: A case study of Alexey Navalny's populist communications on YouTube

This thesis looks at the digital communication strategies of outsiders of Russian politics opposed to the current political elite. This research contributes a case study of Russia’s popular opposition leader Alexey Navalny to the vibrant research fields of populism, investigative journalism, and digital media. The study concludes that the combination of investigative journalism and digital activism practices embedded in the populist style of communication on YouTube contributes to the survival of Russian opposition in the public sphere.