Russia's Portrayal In The Western Media: A Quantitative Analysis Of Leading Media Agency News Stories In 2007

Abstract

This study examined Western media news coverage about Russia. Representative samples from the leading Western wire and international broadcasting services - the AP, BBC and DW - were selected and analyzed using content analysis methodology. The research is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the agenda-setting and framing theories - considering the reality constructed by mass media and the determinants on foreign news coverage. Findings about Russia's portrayal in the Western media are discussed. A quantitative content analysis was used in identifying the main topics, tones and frames used in Western media news coverage about Russia. This research concluded that Western media portrayed Russia using various primary and secondary topics and revealed the - number and type of sources, tone of the stories, and frames in news coverage during 2007. Western media often portrayed Russia in the context of international relations and security issues. The main frames used by the Western media to portray Russia were "rising threat", "Cold War", "troubled democracy" and "partnership".