Telesaade „Võsareporter“: vaatajate tõlgendusi
Date
2012
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
The objective of the bachelor thesis “TV show „Võsareporter“: audience interpretations“ was to find out the motives and causes of the audience to watch the reality show „Võsareporter“ and the audience interpretations of the host, the participants and the content of the show. The intention was also to research the viewer’s opinions of the ethical issues treated in the show and to explain their evaluation of the show in a wider context of nation’s life. Theoretical basis of the bachelor thesis concentrated on describing television as a medium, reality television format and its criticism, audience and also on analyzing the journalism ethics in the context of reality television. Emphirical basis of the bachelor thesis was previous television viewing habits research among the British, the Finns, also Emor’s research among Estonians, viewertypes created by Salme Rannu in his master’s thesis and my earlier seminar thesis. As a qualitative method of my bachelor thesis I used semi-structured in-depth oral interviews, during which I could research audience interpretations and reception on selected parts from the show. It appeared during the interviews that there are four groups of viewertypes: entertainer; enjoyer and reality explorer; self-definer and identifier; observer. The main motive to make people watch „Võsareporter“ was entertainment: emotional release and escapism. The significant motive was personal identity which includes self-defining and reality exploring. To a smaller extent the motive was also personal relations and need for information.
The audience reception of „Võsareporter“ proved that the show generates immediate reaction and emotion. The viewers identified themselwes as participants of the show. Although the viewer thinks that he or she is stronger than the participants. The audience participate in situation and seek actively solutions to problem, make suggestions. Defining the roles of the victim and accused the audience rely on the host’s opinion and selection and consider him an authority. The audience believes without reservation that the host is a legitimate judge. Hence watching the show relies firmly on likeable and preferred host who is in their opinion
irreplaceable. Audience does not sense invading the participants’ private sphere and in their opinion the show punishes those who deserve it. More likely the show protects ordinary people. Therefore the TV show „Võsareporter“ is more effective and trustworthy way of resolving ones problems than Estonian state authority. Hopefully describes this bachelor thesis one phenomenon of our time. Further research could focus on researching the editors of the show. It would be intriguing to research how the topics are selected, how the editors handle the ethical and moral issues of the show and how they interprete the show’s function.