A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND LEGACY MEDIA REPORTAGE OF THE RUSSIA VS UKRAINE WAR: A CASE STUDY OF CNN AND MILITARY SUMMARY YOUTUBE HANDLE

This study comparatively examined the reportage of the Russia–Ukraine war by CNN and the Military SummaryYouTube channel to determine differences in dominant news frames, tone of coverage and news sources. The studywas anchored on Framing Theory and Strategic Narrative Theory, which explain how media organizations select,organize and communicate information to shape audience understanding of conflict events. A quantitative contentanalysis research design was adopted because it provides a systematic and objective means of analysing media content.The study population comprised all Russia–Ukraine war-related reports published by CNN and the Military SummaryYouTube channel between January and June 2026. Using the constructed week sampling technique, a representativesample of 120 content items was selected, consisting of 60 CNN reports and 60 Military Summary YouTube reports.Data were collected with a structured coding sheet and analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies,percentages and comparative tables. The findings revealed that CNN predominantly employed humanitarian anddiplomatic frames, adopted a largely negative tone, and relied mainly on government officials and internationalorganizations as news sources. Conversely, the Military Summary YouTube channel focused primarily on militarystrategy, maintained a relatively neutral tone, and depended largely on military officials and independent analysts. Thestudy recommends that both legacy and digital media integrate diverse frames, balanced tones and multiple crediblesources to enhance comprehensive, objective and balanced reporting of international conflicts.