Interpersonal communication about politics among Russian migrants in Finland
CHERNYUK, IRINA (2014)
2014
Puheviestintä - Speech Communication
Viestinnän, median ja teatterin yksikkö - School of Communication, Media and Theatre
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2014-02-10
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201403121215
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201403121215
Tiivistelmä
This study is aimed to analyse interpersonal communication on politics among Russian migrants in Finland, and to find an answer to the question: What are the essentials of the interpersonal communication on politics among Russian migrants in Finland?
The study presents an exploration of scientific discussion on political communication. The research focuses political communication among citizens on interpersonal level, and considers different approaches, theories and findings in that field. Works of Huckfeldt et al. 2003, Kim and Kim 2008, Merelman 1998, Scheufele 2000, Schudson 1997 etc. were analysed and applied to current research. There is a considerable lack of research which would look at an intersection of political communication in interpersonal communication among migrants. This study attempts to fill in this theoretical gap.
This study seeks to contribute to the research field by investigating the following three aspects: first, the correlation between migrants' use of mass media and communication about politics within their social network; second, the tone of conversation in their social network and third, focus of their interest in the field of politics.
Primary qualitative data was gathered among Russian migrants in Finland with interpersonal and group interview method. The findings were investigated with the purpose of discovering to what extent political issues are a subject of interest of Russian migrants in Finland. The aspects of interpersonal communication of migrants about politics were analysed: discussions with social circles (family, friends, at work), approach towards mass media and political behaviour. Analysis was based on qualitative research method.
One of the most important findings of this analysis is that communication about politics among Russian migrants in Finland is various, and its focus depends on the field of one's interest and is limited by communication competence, especially language skills. Also it was necessary to build a new framework for future studies since the material available on the topic is limited.
The following types of migrants were identified in terms of their approach towards politics: active, idle and blocking. While use of internet, newspaper and active deliberation was typical for active migrants, TV and home discussion were the most prominent instruments neutral and neither use of media nor discussions were utilised by those with a negative relation towards politics.
The study presents an exploration of scientific discussion on political communication. The research focuses political communication among citizens on interpersonal level, and considers different approaches, theories and findings in that field. Works of Huckfeldt et al. 2003, Kim and Kim 2008, Merelman 1998, Scheufele 2000, Schudson 1997 etc. were analysed and applied to current research. There is a considerable lack of research which would look at an intersection of political communication in interpersonal communication among migrants. This study attempts to fill in this theoretical gap.
This study seeks to contribute to the research field by investigating the following three aspects: first, the correlation between migrants' use of mass media and communication about politics within their social network; second, the tone of conversation in their social network and third, focus of their interest in the field of politics.
Primary qualitative data was gathered among Russian migrants in Finland with interpersonal and group interview method. The findings were investigated with the purpose of discovering to what extent political issues are a subject of interest of Russian migrants in Finland. The aspects of interpersonal communication of migrants about politics were analysed: discussions with social circles (family, friends, at work), approach towards mass media and political behaviour. Analysis was based on qualitative research method.
One of the most important findings of this analysis is that communication about politics among Russian migrants in Finland is various, and its focus depends on the field of one's interest and is limited by communication competence, especially language skills. Also it was necessary to build a new framework for future studies since the material available on the topic is limited.
The following types of migrants were identified in terms of their approach towards politics: active, idle and blocking. While use of internet, newspaper and active deliberation was typical for active migrants, TV and home discussion were the most prominent instruments neutral and neither use of media nor discussions were utilised by those with a negative relation towards politics.