Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.48188/so.5.5
Media discourses of the Ukrainian refugees during the war in Ukraine
Ivo Matulić
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Split, Croatia
Vlatka Škokić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2562-2706
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Split, Croatia
*
* Autor za dopisivanje.
Sažetak
Aim: Our main objective was to follow the narrative and determine the media discourses during the coverage of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the country by three different online news reporting websites: BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, each covering distinct geographic areas relevant to the investigation.
Methods: Using critical discourse analysis, we conducted this study at three levels by using descriptions, interpretations, and social analysis. Given the extensive scope of the subject, we had to restrict the volume of data (media articles) considered for analysis. A total of six articles from Al Jazeera, nine from CNN, and four from the BBC were meticulously analyzed, covering the period from the beginning of the invasion (February 24, 2022) until the end of the year (December 31, 2022)
Results: All analyzed media texts portrayed the Ukrainian refugees as safe, educated, and civilized, with the notion that Ukrainian refugees are welcome. The analysis demonstrates different strategies adopted by the media, where CNN attempted to evoke empathy and compassion among the readers, while the BBC and Al Jazeera focused on presenting verifiable facts and numerical data. However, in contrast to the BBC and CNN, Al Jazeera was critical of all the state actors on a European and global level and perceived that double standards were imposed among the key players. Namely, the classification of actors in the analysis shows how the media created an ‘in-group’ (Ukrainian refugees, Europe) and an ‘out-group’ (Russians, other refugees), where the European Union (EU) is considered as the actor that promotes European solidarity and peace. The only occasional criticism aimed at the EU came via Al Jazeera.
Conclusion: Critical discourse analysis applied in this research through the three-dimensional approach clearly demonstrates the role of the media in producing and distributing narratives that determine how Ukrainian refugees are represented. Since the beginning of the war, the media have collectively used respectful language towards the refugees, creating a narrative that Ukraine belongs to an ‘in-group’ representative of European values and norms. Such discourses emphasize the superiority of European values.
Ključne riječi
Ukraine; Russia-Ukraine Conflict; Ukrainian refugees; critical discourse analysis; online news reporting websites; media portrayal
Hrčak ID:
317569
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.5.2024.
Posjeta: 111 *