War of words : erception of the Syrian conflict by Russian and U.S. media

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Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Approval Date: 2013

Thesis Language: English

Student: Marina Aktürk

Supervisor: RİCHARD DİETRİCH

Abstract:

The objective of this thesis is to analyze the behavior of Russian and U.S. media in covering the Syrian conflict. This study focuses on propaganda model offered by Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman and its applicability to the U.S. and Russian newspapers. The thesis consists of four chapters. In the first chapter, a brief information about propaganda model is provided. Chapter two is dedicated to the the Russian-Syrian and U.S.-Syrian relations. The third chapter is the analysis the analysis of news regarding the Syrian unrest. For comparative studies six major events that took place in Syria will be discussed. The final, fourth chapter includes concluding notes on our topic. Chomsky and Herman claim that the propaganda model can be applied to the Western media. But can it be applied to the Russian media as well? Can we claim that Russian newspapers are not objective while reporting on the Syrian conflict, but are rather propaganda tools and help in creating a particular perspective of a conflict that further becomes accepted as a reality?