Behind the Scenes: Encounters between Sámi interviewees and Finnish Journalists

• Main Author: Leukumaavaara, Jenni
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Sámi allaskuvla / Sámi University of Applied Sciences 2017
• Subjects: indigenous journalism; indigenous methodologies; sámi people; media; VDP::Samfunnsvitenskap: 200::Medievitenskap og journalistikk: 310; Sámi
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11250/2788726

This thesis is about interviewing Sámi people from the Finnish side of Sámiland about their experiences with Finnish journalists. Empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews, and the main theory and method lean on the hermeneutic tradition. The researcher’s attention is focused especially in the problems of the interaction between Finnish journalists and Sámi interviewees. Interactions are analyzed within theories of hegemony and Indigenous methodologies in order to reveal power relations, and potential differences in worldviews and ontological backgrounds. The aim is to reveal the kind of journalistic practices that may cause misunderstanding and resentment in the communication, and to give voice to the Sámi and Indigenous perspective. The main argument is that in order to have a deeper understanding of the Sámi people, Finnish mainstream journalists need to improve their level of knowledge of Indigenous issues and particularities of communication. Ontological and epistemological differences remain, at some level, incommensurable, but by knowing one’s own (mainstream) culture it is possible to see norms and values that may differ from one’s interviewees’ values. In order to improve journalism about Indigenous people, Western journalists need to pay attention to their journalistic practices, especially in listening without prejudices. Dán masterčállosis de jearan mo suomabeale sápmelaččat vásihit go suopmelaš (látte dahje rivgu) journalistta leat sin sáhkkehallan. Empiriija vuođđun leat Kemi-struktuvrralaš jearahallamat. Sihke váldoteoriijas ja metoda oasis de dorvvastan hermeneuhtalaš vieruide. Dutkin, válljen fuomášuhttit makkár čuolmmat dahje gulahallan váttisvuođat gártet ságastaladettiin gaskkal suoma journalisttaid ja sápmelaččaid geat jearahallojit. Dáid gulahallamiid analyseren hegemoniija teoriijaid ja álgoálbmogiid metodologiija vuođul, namalassii áddet fápmu oktavuođaid ja vejolaš erohusaid, numo máilmmioainnus ja duohtavuođaid áddejumis. Mihttun lea sihke duođaštit ja čilget makkár ...