Eesti meediakriitika hetkeseis Postimehe, Eesti Päevalehe ja Eesti Ekspressi näitel
Date
2007
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Description
The aim of the present Bachelor’s thesis is to analyse mediacritical discussion in the
Estonian press.
The paper consists of two parts. The first part introduces theoretical aspects of
mediacriticism, its nature, functions, objectives and evolution in the world. The
second part evaluates mediacritical articles - 40 in total - published in Estonian daily
newspapers Postimees, Eesti Päevaleht and Eesti Ekspress during the past five years
using the method of qualitative content analysis.
It should be pointed out that most articles discussing mediacritical problems included
problems reflecting profit interest, the authors of which reproached the Estonian press
about too extensive orientation to scandals and too little interest in more important
topics for the public. The second major problem brought out by the authors of
mediacritical articles was unbalance. In half of the cases it denoted unbalanced
articles which means that when recounting events not all parties were given word to.
In the other half of the cases it meant unbalanceness of journalists which means that in
their articles journalists tended to take somebody’s side instead of staying neutral.
As a result of the analysis it can be concluded that there too little mediacricitism is
disclosed in Estonia. The articles published are unplanned and occasional. The main
reason why they are published lies in the necessity of the authors’ (self)justification.
The circle of mediacritical authors is tight involving only three interest groups: editors
from competing publications, media specialists and politicians. Consequently, it can
be claimed that there is no competent mediacritical discussion in Estonia.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General)