Primetime narratives on Russia–Ukraine conflict on India's Republic TV

Abstract

This study analysed the media narratives in the coverage of the Russia–Ukraine conflict through the primetime monologues on India's most watched English-language news channel – Republic TV. A computer-assisted textual analysis and a thematic discourse analysis were conducted on the media narratives. Major themes emerging from the narratives revealed that the conflict was represented as an opportunity to serve the strategic interests of the United States and China, while the role of countries such as India in resolving the international crisis was highlighted in terms of a challenge to the US-led world order. Results demonstrate that during ‘third party’ conflicts, media narratives are influenced both by domestic political interests and established foreign policy traditions.