The doctoral dissertation of M.Soc.Sc. Salla Nazarenko analyzes the meaning of patriotism for television journalists in Russia and Georgia. The starting point of the thesis is that patriotism as a concept carries a set of meanings in societies threatened by external and internal conflict. In both Georgia and Russia, the concept has been used by political leaders as an ideological tool. In Russia, there are even state-funded programmes of patriotic education.
The research data consists of thematic interviews with journalists in Georgia and Russia, and of a review of social media discussions during patriotic events: Victory Day, May 9th in Russia, and the 10th anniversary of the Five-Day War between Georgia and Russia in August 2018.
The interviewed journalists either work, have worked, or are in close contact with television. Television was chosen as the object of study because in spite of the very rapid changes in citizens’ media usage and the drop in television viewership, television remains the biggest source of news for the majority of citizens in Russia and Georgia. The ownership of television is also contested in both countries, and the state has its own interests around it.
The interview data was analyzed using a thematic analysis, and as a result, different thematic patterns around patriotism were found. The journalists find patriotism both a deeply personal, intimate feeling, and as a militaristic concept. Patriotic narratives are also utilized in the so-called information warfare between Russia and the West.
The analysis of the discussions in the social media platforms of major television channels during patriotic events reveals that the social media bubble is grateful and patriotic. Social media users of the television channels commemorate heroes of war, demonstrate gratitude, and especially in the case of Georgia, engage in political debates.
Theoretically, the dissertation draws from Benedict Anderson’s traditional nationalism theory and Charles Taylor’s ideas about modern social imaginaries to enhance our understanding of the differences and similarities between nationalism and patriotism. In this study, patriotism is understood as an activity that can be civic, bureaucratic, or cultural-symbolic.
Another important concept for this study is large group identities by Vamik Volkan. In his work, Volkan has demonstrated that, in addition to individual identities, we possess large group identities that separate us as members of certain groups. Those groups have their own chosen traumas and glories that have become a part of the large group identity. In both Georgia and Russia, patriotic thinking carries an idea of sacrifice, suffering, and past glory.
This dissertation argues that patriotism is one umbrella concept that affects the way journalists see their position as professionals and as citizens. The economic model around the media is another major factor. In Russia, the state is a major stakeholder in television, and in Georgia, competing politically influential businessmen fight over the ownership.
However, there is always a personal touch in how journalists see both patriotism and their own work, and this stems from large group identities. Journalists working under patriotic pressure find their ways to cope, and they vary from one individual to another.
The doctoral dissertation of M.Soc.Sc. Salla Nazarenko in the field of journalism titled Patriots on Air – A Study of Russian and Georgian TV Journalism will be publicly examined at 12 o’clock on Friday 27 August, 2021. The venue is Linna building auditorium K103, address: Kalevantie 5, City centre campus. Professor Neil MacFarlane from the University of Oxford will be the opponent while docent Katja Lehtisaari from the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences will act as the custos.
The event can be followed via remote connection.
The dissertation is available online at http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-03-2066-9.