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Role of Media
By Dipanshu Rai
Diplomatic efforts underway to end violence in Ukraine
There are several factors responsible for the current Russia - Ukraine conflict like political, economic and historical factors. Political Difference : Russia supporting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and also Ukraine wants to join the European Union. Economic Tension : Ukraine is important to Russia as it provides a route for Russian gas exports to Europe. Historical Tension : There had been tension between the two countries for decades but tension heated up when Russia took over Crimea, a region that had been part of Ukraine. The move was widely criticised by the other countries, and it led to a conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Russian Media Perspective
Russian media tends to present a view that supports the Russian government's official position on the conflict. By looking at state-owned media websites of Russia, it can be seen that a one-sided story is being created in the favour of Russia. Most of the content is published without giving references which makes it hard for fact-checking and since the media is state-controlled, Russia is always shown in a positive way.
For example, during the war in Ukraine, the state-controlled media in Russia often showed the conflict as a struggle against fascism and Western aggression, and showed the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as heroes fighting for their rights and freedoms.
However, despite the control of Media by Russian authorities, people involved in news media have been protesting against the state-controlled media. During this ongoing Russia - Ukraine war, various Russian journalists have been seen quitting on live TV. A famous incident happened when ‘Marina Ovasyannikova’ who was the editor for ‘Channel One’ put an anti-war sign live on air that read “ They are lying to you here ”.
Ukraine Media Perspective
The media in Ukraine covers the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the military intervention by Russia. The coverage is diverse, with different media having their own perspectives and interpretations of events. Some media outlets in Ukraine support the government and military actions, while others question the officials.
The state-owned media in Ukraine generally aligns with the government's position and shows the conflict as a fight against Russian aggression. Private media outlets generally cover government news more in-depth, some being supporters of the government, some anti-government, and others are neutral.
International media outlets also cover the conflict in Ukraine, and they report based on their own perspectives and agendas. Some international media are sympathetic to the Ukrainian government, while others criticise the government's handling of the conflict.
Indian Media Perspective
India is a country that is neither allied to the west, nor to the east. This non allied status has led India to escape from United Nations General Assembly voting against Russia. This non-aligned position has frequently reflected the way that news is reported in India's various news media channels, neither in favour nor against Russia or Ukraine. However, there is biasing with some media channels being in left or right.
India is a country that is neither allied to the west, nor to the east. This non allied status has led India to escape from United Nations General Assembly voting against Russia. This non-aligned position has frequently reflected the way that news is reported in India's various news media channels, neither in favour nor against Russia or Ukraine. However, there is biasing with some media channels being in left or right.
The best media exposure India had during the Russia-Ukraine conflict was in conveying the struggles that Indian students studying in Ukraine universities faced. Social media was flooded with videos and messages by Indian students describing their hardships. This was one significant incident that had an influence on India's response. It influenced Prime Minister Modi to call Putin and recommend him to resorting to diplomatic dialogues and safe passage of Indian students.
Throughout the Russia – Ukraine crisis, the world has seen different pictures of the events. Different countries have taken different stances against the Russia – Ukraine crisis and it can be seen through their media coverage. China, who is a silent supporter of Russia for its interests in Taiwan as well as being an ally of Russia against western countries, has been reported in spreading tweets of Pro Russian through its social media app called Weibo.
"Media is a very powerful element in today's world". In this modern age of digitalization and the spread of social media, it has become very easy to influence people and make them against a particular community. With different political narratives and media bias in conveying events, people can be easily confused in making their opinions and responding to the crisis. The current crisis in Russia and Ukraine is a lesson to the world on how the media can impact our beliefs and make us view an international event one way or another.
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