Estonian Media Coverage of Parliamentary Proceedings
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Director of the public relations firm Rull & Rumm
At the request of the Riigikogu Chancellery, Rull & Rumm analysed how the Riigikogu was received by the public in 2001 on the basis of online and print media. On the basis of the analyses, it can be said that the activities of the party factions received the most coverage.
In the spring period (Mar 15 – May 15) the Riigikogu’s legislative activity was covered in the sources monitored a total of 527 times. In the autumn period (Sep 15 – Nov 15) the number of reports was 689, almost a third more. The greater number of mentions was due to the greater frequency of work after summer vacation and also because of fallout from the presidential election. In both periods, a neutral bias was predominant.
Interest in the Riigikogu’s actual work was at a stable low level in Delfi, Eesti Ekspress, Maaleht and SL Õhtuleht. In Eesti Päevaleht, Äripaev and BNS, interest waned in the autumn almost by a half. The amount of coverage increased in wire service ETA and Postimees, with almost a threefold increase in the former.
In both periods, the main stress was laid on the activity of party factions. In spring there was greater interest toward draft law proceedings, while in autumn the media focused on general legislative issues and Riigikogu management activity. In both periods there was little attention to the work of the Riigikogu Chancellery or the speakers. In spring there was less interest in committee work, in fall there was less in fulfilment of laws that entered in force.