Social Problems in Estonian Mass Media 1975-1991

The lack of legitimacy of the Soviet rule in Estonia was manifested among other things by a deep disagreement between rulers and the ruled over the central problems of society. As the political situation changed from 1985 on, also the problems were defined in new ways, and partially by new actors. From 1988 on, censorship and state monopoly of the mass media were gradually abolished. A content analysis was made on so-called problem articles in the leading Estonian daily Rahva Haal. The years 1975 to 1991 were divided into four periods, characterized by different political situations. The periods were compared with each other; 394 statements of a social problem were coded according to the problem, to the presented reasons and suggested solutions, and to the source of the statement. The so-called Singing Revolution period 1988 to 1990 differs dramatically from both the earlier and the later periods. Many new problems were addressed then, among them the problems of environment, political institutions, and nationality. The causes and solutions were often sought from the political and structural level, which was something totally new. The most usual source of statements became the specialists. From 1990 to 1991, the focus is on the problems of economy and political institutions.