Syrjäinen ja aito, vallan pitäjä ja ulkopuolinen : paikka ja etnisyys 'meidän' ja 'toisten' rakentumispintana journalismissa

Abstract

The article examines the ways in which identities for ‘us' and 'them' are discursively constructed in media. We focus particularly on the construction of regional and ethnic identities in the Finnish newspaper texts. Our points ol departure are that identities are fluid and in transition, discourse(s) is ore major way to convey and construct identities, ,and that the media has a powerful role in suggesting, offerinq and circulating different identity constructions. The analysis showed that the border between ‘us’ and ‘them’ was discursively marked and resulted in different representations of 'us’·and 'them'. For instance, when discussing local(ized) identities 'we' were represented as bystanders yet as survivors and 'the others' as belonging to the power elite. On the other hand, in the case of ethnic identities 'we' were represented as those suffering from changes although being in power to effect on them, and 'they" were portrayed as a source of changes, and troubles. If the journalism is seen as a potential for dialogue between various groups, it is important to ask what kind of representations are constructed and with what consequences. In order for journalism to generate public participation and dialogue through and in the media it is vital that the readers find themselves within the media representations of regional and ethnic identities.

Artikkeli tarkastelee diskurssianalyyttisesta näkökulmasta, miten 'meidän' ja 'toisten' identiteetit rakentuvat suomalaisten sanomalehtien uutis- ja artikkeliteksteissä. Artikkeli keskittyy paikan ja etnisyyden kautta rajautuviin identiteetteihin. Paikalla tarkoitetaan alueellista paikkaa ja yhteiskunnallista asemaa. Etnisen 'meidän' ja 'toisten' rakentumista analysoidaan maahanmuuton, saamelaisuuden ja suomalaisuuden representaatioiden kautta. Artikkelissa pohditaan myös, onko vastakkain asettaminen 'meidän' ja 'toisten' välille journalismiin sisään rakentunut käytäntö ja mitä merkitystä sillä on vuoropuhelulle journalismissa.