Legitimizing friends and denouncing enemies: A comparative analysis of Ukraine war coverage in China, South Korea, and Japan

Abstract

This study investigates how broadcast journalism in China, South Korea, and Japan covered the Russian invasion and war in Ukraine and analyzes the origins of the differences in news coverage. The framing employed during the initial stage is crucial, as it influences the dissemination of ideas and emotions, setting the tone for public perception. Thus, we conducted a framing analysis of news coverage by focusing on three critical dates during the initial stage of the crisis. Our analysis revealed significant disparities in defining the situation, interpreting the causes, assessing moral implications, and proposing solutions, with particularly pronounced differences in sourcing practices. We found that each country’s foreign policy, degree of state involvement, and collective memory were dynamic factors that framed Ukraine’s war. In particular, the varying degree of state involvement influenced the intensity of the “Us” versus “Them” dichotomy and the latitude given to the media in framing the issue.