Avalikud pöördumised: kolm juhtumit aastatest 2005-2008
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
This master’s thesis gives an overview of the theoretical basis of public letters as means
of achieving the aims of the civic society. Based on three case studies, this master’s thesis
examines the nature and extent of the effects of these public letters.
In the theoretical part of the thesis, modern theories on mass media and the society were
examined to use them as a basis of creating a possible model of effect of public letters,
which would causally bind the sender, the channel and the receiver of the public letter. In
the empirical part of this master’s thesis, case study method was used to determine the
model of the mechanism of effect of public letters by juxtaposing and analysing three
public letters: „Usuvabadusest ja usu(ndi)õpetusest“ (“Of freedom of belief and religious
education”, 2005), „Toetades Ilvest, aitame Eestit!“ (“By supporting Ilves, we help
Estonia!”, 2006) and „Avalik pöördumine Vabadussõja võidusamba sellisel kujul
ehitamise vastu“ (“A public letter against constructing the War of Independence Victory
Column according to the winning design” 2008). The objects of analysis in each of the
three cases were the drafter of the text and the drafter’s vision, the text itself and the
reflections on the text in the media. The aim of the comparison was to detrmine the model
of the course of the discussion as well as evaluate the effectiveness of the claims stated in
the public letter.
The case studies revealed that out of the three public letters examined, only one public
letter achieved its aim fully. However, a common characteristic of all the public letters
was that, in addition to initiating a discussion in media channels on the topic covered in
the public letter, they also initiated a wider discussion on the role of the civic society. The
cases analysed in the course of this research revealed that a public letter may not always
be the most fruitful means of achieving one’s will. The public letters did, however, justify
the drafters’ expectations regarding the public letters’ role as the concentrator of the
public’s attention, the initiator of discussions and an instrument for expressing the will of
the citizens. The case studies also revealed that in the process of the operation of the
public letter, the claims stated do not always remain on the paper since public officials
and authorities may see the drafters of the public letters as credible discussion partners.