Authors

• Skön, Kirsi (University of Tampere)
• Torkkola, Sinikka (University of Tampere)

Keywords

ethnic minorities, mass media, minority languages, radio listening, radio news, radio programmes, television news, television programmes, television viewing

Abstract

The study charted the Russian Karelian ethnic minorities' views on the significance of radio and television programmes broadcast in their mother tongue and opinions on the programming in minority languages provided by the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.

The respondents were first presented with statements about radio and television programmes which investigated their listening and watching habits and opinions on programmes broadcast in Karelian, Finnish or Vepsian. The next set of questions focused on whether the minority language news and current affairs programmes dealt sufficiently with different topics (e.g. decision-making in the Republic of Karelia, crime in Karelia, health care, interviews of different people). Similarly, a set of questions asked whether the minority language news and current affairs programmes dealt sufficiently with events in different areas (Karelia, Russia, CIS countries, Finland, other countries). Opinions on the sufficiency of different kinds of tv and radio programmes (e.g. current affairs programmes, children's programmes) broadcast in minority languages were investigated.

Several questions were asked about the respondents' listening and watching habits. These included, among others, how often they listened and watched different channels, how often they listened or watched Russian and how often Karelian, Finnish or Vepsian programmes. The respondents were also asked about the significance of minority language programmes to ethnic culture.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, year of birth, R's ethnicity, ethnicity of children and the spouse/partner, mother tongue, language used at home, proficiency in Karelian, Finnish and Vepsian, and type of neighbourhood.