Latvia-Russia mutual economic policy frames in “Dienas bizness” articles 2004−2007
CERAVA, MARTA (2009)
2009
Tiedotusoppi - Journalism and Mass Communication
Yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta - Faculty of Social Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2009-07-20
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-20358
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-20358
Tiivistelmä
This study examines the most problematic mutual economic policy issues between Latvia and Russia during the period of 2004 – 2007, straight after Latvia joined EU and NATO. The focus is on the coverage of these issues by Latvia’s largest business newspaper “Dienas bizness”. The study attempts to find out the possible frames that are rising from the articles about Russia - Latvia mutual economic relations and what role journalists and EU institutions have in these relations.
Previously, the framing of the events, issues, and actors as well the impact of the frames have been widely researched. However frame performed functions which are grounded in Robert Entman’s framing theory and economic policy frames in press and more specifically about Latvia-Russia mutual economical relations have not been broadly studied. In this respect the press is telling the public how to think about these relations and why.
The conducted analysis provides strong evidence of framing in Latvia − Russia economic relations issues in the newspaper, as well as explaining the functions of these frames. The most important and widely framed cases are Latvia − Russia border agreements, border queues, Nord Stream pipe line project, Latvia’s energy dependency problem as well as Latvia’s and other EU countries animal origin product import problems to Russia. The analysis shows that the causes of most of the cases are based historically on both the country’s relations and political aims; however inexperience and new business targets are affecting those as well. By not being a part of the World Trade Organization, Russia is an unreliable partner but it doesn’t make it less significant for Latvia’s business area. The newspaper suggests Latvia to be a partner with a common sense and prudence to use all the possibilities of Russia’s market. On the other hand it puts Latvia in a frame with the rest of EU to think of the common values of the union and policy towards Russia. At the same time, Russia is changing its policy towards Latvia by not limiting its business expansionist plans just to previously strategically meaningful partners. Journalists turned out to be evaluators, criticizers, and advocators of the policy making however, not considered to be strong initiators.
Asiasanat:Business press, Latvian business media, economic policy, Latvia - Russia economic relations, framing analysis,
Previously, the framing of the events, issues, and actors as well the impact of the frames have been widely researched. However frame performed functions which are grounded in Robert Entman’s framing theory and economic policy frames in press and more specifically about Latvia-Russia mutual economical relations have not been broadly studied. In this respect the press is telling the public how to think about these relations and why.
The conducted analysis provides strong evidence of framing in Latvia − Russia economic relations issues in the newspaper, as well as explaining the functions of these frames. The most important and widely framed cases are Latvia − Russia border agreements, border queues, Nord Stream pipe line project, Latvia’s energy dependency problem as well as Latvia’s and other EU countries animal origin product import problems to Russia. The analysis shows that the causes of most of the cases are based historically on both the country’s relations and political aims; however inexperience and new business targets are affecting those as well. By not being a part of the World Trade Organization, Russia is an unreliable partner but it doesn’t make it less significant for Latvia’s business area. The newspaper suggests Latvia to be a partner with a common sense and prudence to use all the possibilities of Russia’s market. On the other hand it puts Latvia in a frame with the rest of EU to think of the common values of the union and policy towards Russia. At the same time, Russia is changing its policy towards Latvia by not limiting its business expansionist plans just to previously strategically meaningful partners. Journalists turned out to be evaluators, criticizers, and advocators of the policy making however, not considered to be strong initiators.
Asiasanat:Business press, Latvian business media, economic policy, Latvia - Russia economic relations, framing analysis,