The golden mouthpiece: a textual analysis of propaganda sources in U.S. newspaper coverage of the Russia–Ukraine conflict

Abstract

This study employs a textual analysis with a structured coding framework, to examine newspaper coverage of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in two major U.S. news outlets: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The study investigates how propaganda devices appear in combat media coverage and where such content originates, with particular attention to distinctions between journalist-driven narratives and quoted sources. Definitions of propaganda devices are adapted from the Institute for Propaganda Analysis. Using purposive sampling, the study selects articles published between February 2022 and December 2025 to capture reporting across multiple phases of the conflict. A sample of twenty articles per outlet is analyzed to identify patterns in framing, sourcing, and narrative construction. The textual analysis focuses on the use of propaganda devices within coverage, examining both their frequency and contextual function. By comparing the two outlets, the study assesses similarities and differences in how the Russia – Ukraine conflict is presented to American audiences. Findings indicate that propagandistic elements are present in a majority of articles. The textual analysis suggests that political leaders are the primary sources of these devices, often appearing within quoted material to shape messaging and evoke emotional responses. Coding indicates that glittering generalities and testimonials are the most frequently occurring propaganda devices. Together, these findings highlight the influential role of quoted sources in shaping narratives and underscore the continued relevance of propaganda frameworks in contemporary journalism.