Coverage of the Russia–Ukraine War by Television News

Authors

  • Kaarle Nordenstreng Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
  • Svetlana Pasti Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
  • Tao Zhang Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
  • Savyasaachi Jain Cardiff University, School of Journalism, Media and Culture
  • Giuliano Bobba University of Turin, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Department of Cultures, Politics and Society
  • Henry Wolgast University of Delaware, Biden School of Public Policy & Administration
  • Aaron Hyzen Drexel University
  • Liziane Soares Guazina University of Brasilia, School of Communication
  • Suchitra Patnaik The English and Foreign Languages University of Hyderabad
  • Musawenkosi Ndlovu University of Cape Town, Centre for Film and Media Studies

Keywords:

Russian invasion of Ukraine, television news, content analysis, war and peace journalism

Abstract

This article is a condensed presentation of an international study on the way the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, was covered by broadcast news in Russia, China, Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States (on broadcast and cable networks), Brazil, India, and South Africa. The quantitative analysis was based on the main TV news bulletins in each country on 10 days sampled between late February and mid-April 2022 by classifying the news stories according to a common code of topics and national angles. In addition, a qualitative analysis identified the key narratives in the news for each country. The results reveal significant differences between countries, especially between Russia and others but also between the Western and the BRICS countries. The article ends with proposals to follow up on this research.

Author Biographies

Kaarle Nordenstreng, Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

Professor Emeritus of Journalism and Mass Communication+358-50-566-5340

Svetlana Pasti, Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

Docent

Tao Zhang, Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

Doctoral Researcher

Savyasaachi Jain, Cardiff University, School of Journalism, Media and Culture

Reader

Giuliano Bobba, University of Turin, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Department of Cultures, Politics and Society

Associate Professor

Henry Wolgast, University of Delaware, Biden School of Public Policy & Administration

Researcher

Aaron Hyzen, Drexel University

Researcher

Liziane Soares Guazina, University of Brasilia, School of Communication

Professor

Suchitra Patnaik, The English and Foreign Languages University of Hyderabad

Assistant Professor

Musawenkosi Ndlovu, University of Cape Town, Centre for Film and Media Studies

Associate Professor

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Published

2023-11-13

Issue

Section

Features