Sputnik Türkiye's portrayal of Russia's Ukraine policy: A case study of use of media as a geopolitical instrument

The core objective of this thesis is to uncover and analyze the communication strategy and narrative reconstruction employed by Sputnik Türkiye concerning Russia's Ukraine policy and the invasion itself. Specifically, we aim to discern how Sputnik Türkiye endeavors to shape Turkish public opinion regarding Russia's Ukraine policy, the ongoing war, Turkish-Western relations, and various domestic and international issues. To address these research questions, we conducted a comprehensive content analysis of Sputnik Türkiye's coverage of the Ukraine invasion spanning from February 24, 2022, to May 24, 2022. Sputnik Türkiye, funded by Russia, serves not only as a vehicle for public diplomacy to enhance Russian soft power but also plays a pivotal role in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy. It does so by disseminating disinformation and propaganda to target both the Turkish and international public. Through public diplomacy and propaganda tactics, Sputnik Türkiye has been employed to reinforce pro-Russian narratives. These narratives encompass the spread of disinformation about the Ukrainian government and military, an effort to establish Russia as a legitimate actor despite human rights allegations, the propagation of a biased perspective, and the portrayal of the West, particularly Western governments, as the "villain" or adversary. Russia's overarching communication strategy is designed to mitigate international and Turkish public opposition to its geopolitical goals. Moreover, it seeks to garner political and diplomatic support from Türkiye. However, these ulterior motives pose a significant threat to Türkiye's media ecosystem and the integrity of free and organic public discourse.