Lastega seotud seksuaalvägivald päevalehtede online–väljaannetes katoliku kiriku näitel

Abstract

The aim of this Bachelor’s thesis was to analyse the representation of the sexual abuse of children in online newspapers, basing on the example of Catholic Church pedophilia cases. In November 2009th broke out the scandal of extensive abuse of children in different clergies. Namely because the evidences came to the public, according to which church leaders concealed for almost thirty years the extensive cases of pedophilia, which were committed by the parsons of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church and its memembers became quickly in the eyes of the public as the most suspect in pedophilia and child molestation and also as the main cause of the whole child abuse problem. The scandal has not been conclusively subsided and new accusations towards abusers still come evident. Due to the fact that violence and particularly sexual violence against children is a delicate problem, should the media approach it professionally. Religion adds supplementary sensitivity in all media discourse because of its private nature and which overall makes the problem even more complicated. According to this, the aim of this research was to identify how did the three Estonia’s biggest newspapers – Postimees, Õhtuleht and Eesti Päevaleht- represent the wide, but sensitive area of children abuse which occurred in church related molestation scandal. Analyse included articles, which appeared during the period from 01.09.2009 to 31.10.10. Author used the critical discourse analyse which based on Norman Fairclough’s method. The results of this research showed that Estonian media reflection based on the foreign media refereed articles. It may be said that news focused on the sequent disclousures whereas the analyses gave broader and more meaningful context. Minors who were often abused by clergy members systematically and decades were in the articles reflected minimally and mostly without clear identification. The nomination of victims was greatly related to the criminal. The abusers were identifyed basing on their religious status, clergy and commited abuse which was principally pedophila. It became clear that Estonian media focused heavily on the Catholic Church and its abusive cases and indications that problem had occurred also in other religions were given slightly. 86 The main problem might be the indistinctness of terminology which were used to refer to the different forms of child abuse. Various namings of the sexual abuse were often used as synonyms and no clear definitions or background information was given. The problem of sexual abuse of children in clery was seen as longterm case which started in the middle of eighties. However there were not given clear and undubious reasons why these cases started. It was primely referred to the social passivity and the power – and trust abuse and malversation of the clergymembers. The main culprit of the whole abuse and the scandal was seen the pope Benedict XVI who defended clergymen and not the victioms of sexual abuse. It was shown that nor were there clear solutions which would be effective and which would be implemented everywhere. Therefore it has been done just public apologies and remorse statements. In additon there is a hope that the judiciary will act decisively.