The role of the media in the Ukraine — Russia war

Sascha H. Funk
5 min readOct 6, 2022

The Ukraine — Russia war has been ongoing since 2014, with no end in sight. One of the key players in this conflict is the media. In this article, we’ll take a look at how the media has shaped public opinion on both sides, and how it has helped to keep the war going.

The Ukraine — Russia war and the media

The role of the media in the Ukraine — Russia war has been extensive. The media has been accused of fueling the flames of the war by reporting on it extensively and continuously. Some believe that the media’s reporting has led to more violence and bloodshed.

The media plays an important role in any war. It can be a powerful tool for propaganda and can help to shape public opinion. In the case of the Ukraine — Russia war, it is clear that the media has had a significant impact.

On one hand, the media has been accused of inflating the conflict and making it seem worse than it is. This can be seen in the way that many news outlets have given 24-hour coverage to the fighting, often with sensationalist headlines. This type of reporting can increase anxiety and fear among people who are not directly affected by the fighting.

On the other hand, some believe that the media’s coverage of the war has been vital in bringing attention to the conflict and helping to raise international support for Ukraine. Without this visibility, it is arguable that the war would have continued without much outside interference.

Regardless of which side is right, it is clear that the media plays a significant role in how wars are perceived by the public.

The different ways the media has been involved in the war

The media has played a big role in the Ukraine — Russia war. It has been a way for people to get information about what is going on and to communicate with each other. The media has also been used as a tool by both sides to try to win over public opinion.

One of the most important ways the media has been involved in the war is through social media. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become a way for people to stay updated on the latest news and developments. They have also been used by both sides to try to influence public opinion.

Another way the media has been involved in the war is through traditional news outlets. These outlets have been providing coverage of the conflict and helping to inform the public about what is going on. They have also been used by both sides to get their message out.

The role of the media in the Ukraine — Russia war has been significant. It has helped people stay informed and connected, and it has also been used as a tool by both sides to try to win over public opinion.

The impact of the media on the war

The Ukrainian-Russian war has been fought for over two years now, and throughout that time the media has played a significant role in shaping public perceptions of the conflict.

In the early stages of the war, Russian state-owned media outlets such as RT and Sputnik were key in spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda about the conflict. They portrayed the Ukrainian government as a bunch of fascists who were mistreating ethnic Russians, and painted the Russian intervention as a necessary step to protect them. This narrative was picked up by many ordinary Russians, who saw the war as a justifiable fight against Ukrainian aggression.

However, as the death toll mounted and international condemnation of Russia’s actions grew, this narrative began to unravel. The Russian media started to downplay the role of their country’s soldiers in the conflict, instead portraying them as “volunteers” or “separatists” fighting for the cause. This was coupled with a growing crackdown on independent media outlets and journalists who were critical of the Kremlin’s policies.

As a result, public opinion in Russia has become increasingly hostile towards the war. A recent poll found that only 13% of Russians believe that their country should be actively involved in the conflict, compared to 41% who said the opposite. This is a marked change from two years ago, when 61% of Russians supported their government’s intervention in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian media, on the other hand, has been much more critical of the Russian government and its actions in the war. This is to be expected, given that the conflict has killed over 10,000 Ukrainians and displaced more than 1.6 million people.

However, it is worth noting that the Ukrainian media landscape is far from united on how to cover the war. Some outlets, such as Hromadske TV, have taken an explicitly pro-Ukrainian stance, while others, like 112 Ukraine, have been accused of being too close to the government. This lack of unity can make it difficult for ordinary Ukrainians to get a clear picture of what is happening in their country.

The Western media has also played a role in shaping public perceptions of the conflict. In the early stages of the war, most outlets adopted a fairly balanced approach to coverage, although there was a tendency to downplay Russian involvement. However, as the conflict has dragged on and evidence of Russian military involvement has mounted, Western media outlets have become increasingly critical of Moscow.

This has led to a shift in public opinion in the West, with a growing number of people now seeing the war as a Russian-instigated conflict. A recent poll found that 58% of Americans believe that Russia is responsible for the violence in Ukraine, up from 49% last year.

The role of the media in the Ukrainian-Russian war is complex and multi-faceted. On the one hand, it has helped to raise awareness of the conflict and its human costs. On the other hand, it has also been used as a tool for propaganda and disinformation by both sides. In the end, it is up to each individual to decide how much weight to give to different sources of information.

The future of the media’s involvement in the war

The future of the media’s involvement in the Ukraine — Russia war is still undecided. While the media has played a significant role in bringing attention to the conflict and helping to shape public opinion, it remains to be seen what their role will be going forward.

Some believe that the media will continue to be an important voice in the war, helping to bring attention to human rights abuses and other atrocities. Others believe that the media’s role will be limited, as both sides become increasingly adept at propaganda and manipulating public opinion.

Whatever the future holds, it is clear that the media will continue to play a significant role in the Ukraine — Russia war.

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Sascha H. Funk

Head of Media Studies | BKK | New Media & ED #Volleyball, #MuayThai. https://saschafunk.com — hosting @FunkItPod | it’s not rain, it’s liquid sunshine