MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF UKRAINE AND UKRAINIANS: A CORPUS-BASED ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN AND BRITISH MEDIA SOURCES

Abstract

This article presents a corpus-based analysis of media representations of Ukraine and Ukrainians in popular American and British media sources. The study aims to examine language usage, framing techniques, and the frequency of specific words and phrases to shed light on the construction and dissemination of narratives. Two media sub corpora, the British media sub corpus and the American media sub corpus, were compiled using the #Lancsbox interface and search tools like Google. The corpora consisted of 100 articles each, covering the period from late 2013 to April 2022.
 The analysis revealed several key findings. First, these findings underscore the media's significant role in shaping public perception and understanding of Ukraine and Ukrainians. Secondly, they highlight the importance of accurate language usage, framing techniques, and cultural sensitivity in media representations. Third, the study’s conclusions have practical implications for promoting more accurate and respectful media portrayals of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
 Further research avenues include exploring a broader range of media sources, investigating the influence of geopolitical factors on media representations, and examining the impact of media discourse on public attitudes and perceptions.