English Mass-Media Discourse Around the Political Events in Ukraine (2014-2022)

The bachelor paper focuses on the coverage of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in Western mass media from 2014-2022. Mass media serves as a brilliant way of communication not only between government and society within one certain country, but also run as a red thread which unites the people all over the globe.
Ukraine was all over the international headlines from the end of 2013 until today due to its ongoing conflict with Russia and the annexation of Crimea. The coverage has included a range of topics such as political developments, military operations, economic sanctions, and humanitarian issues. Western media outlets, such as CNN, BBC, The New York Times and The Guardian, have provided in-depth reporting on the conflict and its impact on the region.
Having analyzed all the articles about Ukraine in Western mass media, we found out that the highest number of articles was published by BBC News (2,924) and New York Times (2,886). Fewer articles and reports were published by CNN (2,273) and The Guardian (2,667). For most newspapers, the highest frequency of mentions of Ukraine in the Western mass media falls on 2014, during the events of the Revolution of Dignity. Over time, there has been a noticeable decrease in interest and the frequency of mentions of Ukraine in the headlines of reports and articles.
The outbreak of war in Ukraine marked a significant shift in the coverage by major mass media outlets. Notably, CNN and The New York Times started mentioning Ukraine in every edition, reflecting the gravity and widespread impact of the conflict. Furthermore, the inclusion of a dedicated section titled "War in Ukraine" on the official website of the BBC further underscored the heightened attention and prominence given to the ongoing conflict in the media landscape. This increased focus on Ukraine highlights the importance of keeping global audiences informed about the unfolding events and their implications.
The Maidan Revolution, which took place in Ukraine in 2013-2014, was covered extensively in Western media. Generally, Western media outlets portrayed the revolution as a popular movement driven by Ukrainians seeking closer ties with the European Union and democratic reforms. The focus was often on the pro-European aspirations of the Ukrainian people and their dissatisfaction with corruption and authoritarianism.
For instance, when covering the Maidan Revolution, the majority of media outlets tried to include expert commentary and voices from Ukraine people. However, a lot of the media did not make it apparent that the protests were coming from different regions of the nation and social groups that went beyond the traditional East/West division. For example, few reports noted that many protesters were chanting pro-European slogans in Russian.
Western media outlets generally aim to provide balanced coverage, reflecting different viewpoints and expert analysis. They strive to avoid generalizations and portray a nuanced understanding of the situation.
The influence of Russian narratives on Ukraine in Western media can vary. Some media outlets may critically analyze and challenge Russian narratives, providing a counter-narrative or presenting a more nuanced perspective. However, it is possible that certain narratives propagated by Russian media or sources with a pro-Russian bias could find their way into Western media discussions to some extent, either directly or indirectly.
In conclusion, it can be observed that the Russian narrative depicting an armed coup d'état and the presence of Nazis in Ukraine lacks confirmation from correspondents on the ground. On the contrary, reports confirm the occurrence of atrocities, looting, and lawlessness in the captured territories. Despite the usage of terms like "conflict" and "special military operation," the information presented, stripped of metaphors and epithets, is sufficient to unequivocally classify it as a war and a war crime, constituting a crime against humanity.
Furthermore, linguistic features in the reporting about Ukraine reveal certain trends. Misspellings of Ukrainian names, such as 'Kiev' instead of 'Kyiv,' were common until the start of the full-scale invasion, but there is now a growing tendency to use the original Ukrainian names for settlements.
The word 'crisis' is one of the most frequently used words in newspaper headlines about Ukraine. In different contexts, it has covered the Maidan Revolution, the Crimea annexation, the backing of pro-Russian separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine, and finally, the full-scale invasion. While a crisis itself typically refers to a critical or unstable situation characterized by intense difficulty, danger, or uncertainty, crises can also encompass a wide range of events or circumstances, such as economic downturns, natural disasters, political conflicts, or social unrest. Therefore, we can conclude that the word 'crisis' rarely reflects the true nature of these events and remains quite inaccurate.
While reporting on the events, mass media used terms such as 'conflict,' 'little green men,' 'demilitarization,' 'special military operation,' and 'partial mobilization.' These expressions are enclosed in quotation marks and are cited as quotes from state representatives. However, terms like 'Ukrainian question,' 'Ukrainian crisis,' and 'Ukrainian conflict' are used as statements without any specific attribution or clarification. On one hand, such a formulation can be considered neutral, but on the other hand, it fails to provide objective information or clarify the situation, thus shifting the focus of attention away from the aggressor.
Despite the prevalence of the Russian narrative alleging an armed coup d'état and the presence of Nazis in Ukraine, on-the-ground correspondents have consistently failed to confirm these claims. The lack of confirmation by correspondents present in Ukraine casts significant doubt on the credibility of the Russian narrative, raising questions about its authenticity and motives. The absence of supporting evidence from correspondents reporting from Ukraine strongly undermines the legitimacy of the Russian narrative surrounding an armed coup d'état and the alleged presence of Nazis.
The study highlights that Western mass media, in general, demonstrate objectivity in their articles and reports, avoiding manipulative techniques. The reports are based on on-site coverage, including statements and appeals from public figures, interviews with local residents, and video materials of the events, which enable readers/viewers to gain a comprehensive understanding and form their own conclusions. The contextual information provided by the mass media contributes to a better comprehension of the events and the overall situation.
Overall, it is difficult to assess what impact international reporting on the Ukraine story has had on public opinion worldwide. The results of public opinion polls regarding Russian aggression against Ukraine provide valuable insights into the public's perception of events. The analysis of the polls suggests that the majority of respondents recognize the threat posed by Russian aggression, but there are significant variations in perception across different countries.
While there are notable strengths in terms of comprehensive reporting and efforts to present diverse perspectives, there are also areas where improvements can be made to ensure a more accurate and objective portrayal of the situation.

Boncheva M. English Mass-Media Discourse Around the Political Events in Ukraine (2014-2022) : bachelor’s paper : 035 Philology / supervisor Verba Lidiia. Kyiv, 2023. 85 p.