(Person) Percentage - Sabanci University Research Database

The Asian Media & Mass Communication Conference 2010 Osaka, Japan
“For both Russia and Georgia, the stakes are higher than just boosting patriotism among their people. The war
shook the world’s trust in each country, and both Moscow and Tbilisi are eager to stitch those wounds.” (New York
Times, August 6, 2009)
It was remarkable that if during the 1990s Russia was in the backstage when ethnic conflicts in
two autonomous republics of Georgia took place. The conflicts resulted in mass cleansing of
ethnic Georgians on those territories and became known as Georgian- Abkhaz and Georgian-
Ossetian conflicts. And, at that time the situation in Georgia received little notice from the
western media. In 2008 the war gained wide mass media attention making it clear that there was
a confrontation between Russia and Georgia.
The analysis of the U.S. media showed that it was Russia that acquired an image of Aggressor in
this confrontation.
“The advance into Georgia proper fed fears that Moscow aimed to take the entire country that
had once been part of the Russian Empire.” (New York Times, Aug. 6, 2009)
“The European Union said Monday that it would resume negotiations with Russia that it had halted
following Russia’s invasion of Georgia…” (New York Times, Nov. 11, 2009)
“… a step they believe could deter aggression from Russian or separatist forces…” (New York Times,
July 21, 2009)
“…Mr. Biden saved his harshest words for Russia.” (New York Times, July 24, 2009)
“… It also criticized Russia for bombarding Georgian territory later and for allowing South Ossetian
forces to loot ethnic Georgian villages for weeks” (New York Times, Nov. 18, 2009)
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