Visual images as affective anchors: strategic narratives in Russia’s Channel One coverage of the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts

Figures & data

Image 1. Typical visual theme used to demonise the Ukrainian government: Refugee women and children

Image 2. Typical visual theme used to demonise the Ukrainian government: Suffering Russian-speaking civilians and destroyed houses.

Image 3. Typical visual theme of the coverage of the Syrian civil war: Russia’s military arsenal.

Image 4. Images of Russian combat surveillance and investigation systems used to visualise the war against terrorism.

Table A1. Main narrative themes presented in Ch1’s reporting on Ukraine.

Narrative theme	Number of reports	%
Fascist regime of the post-Euromaidan Ukrainian government:	1623	70.6
- Use of army against the population of the eastern regions of Ukraine	755	32.9
- Pro-fascist political decisions and speeches	356	15.5
- Resistance of the eastern population and self-defence forces to government’s army	349	15.2
- Casualties among journalists	79	3.4
- Provoking Russia into conflict	63	2.7
- Responsibility for shooting down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17	21	0.9
Other topics:
Russia as a big brother	616	26.8
US/EU support fascism and the civil war in Ukraine	43	1.9
Miscellaneous	15	0.7
TOTAL	2297	100.0

Table A2. Main actors presented in Ch1’s reporting on Ukraine.

Main actor	Number of reports	%
Civilians who stayed and are suffering from the conflict	743	32.3
Displaced civilians (refugees)	668	29.1
Self-defence combatants	564	24.6
Right Sector	161	7.0
US/EU	107	4.7
Other	54	2.3
TOTAL	2297	100.0

Table A3. Sources of visuals used by Ch1 in its reporting on Ukraine.

Sources	Number of reports	%
Ch1’s own sources	835	36.4
YouTube	784	34.1
Other official media resources	563	24.5
Facebook/vk.com/Twitter	115	5.0
TOTAL	2297	100.0

Table A4. Main narrative themes presented in Ch1’s reporting on Syria.

Narrative theme	Number of reports	%
Russia as a global superpower:	778	63.1
- Russia is the strongest international political actor and peace builder	414	33.6
- Russia is the strongest military power	364	29.5
Russian versus other countries:	271	22.1
- Turkey is a supporter of terrorism and a violator of human rights	150	12.2
- The coalition’s operation is ineffective. Political and media accusations against Russia are not supported by evidence.	93	7.6
- Syrian refugees destabilising EU	28	2.3
ISIS:	106	8.6
ISIS Crimes	78	6.3
ISIS is a threat to Russia	28	2.3
Syrian government as an ally	70	5.7
Other	7	0.5
TOTAL	1232	100.0

Table A5. Main actors presented in Ch1’s reporting on Syria

Main actor	Number of reports	%
Russia as superpower	1046	84.9
Civilians who stayed and are suffering from the conflict	73	5.9
Displaced civilians (refugees)	70	5.7
Other	43	3.5
TOTAL	1232	100.0

Table A6. Sources of visuals used by Ch1 in its reporting on Syria

Sources	Number of reports	%
Ch1’s own sources	788	64.0
Other official media resources	416	33.8
YouTube	26	2.1
Facebook/vk.com/Twitter	2	0.1
TOTAL	1232	100.0