Study title

State of the Finnish News Media 2008

Dataset ID Number

FSD2407

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2407

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Holma, Aino (University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication)
• Raittila, Pentti (University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication)
• Saloniemi, Aira (University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication)
• Suikkanen, Risto (University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication)

Abstract

In the study, the news output of nineteen Finnish media (newspapers, TV, and radio) during 14 days between October 2007 and March 2008 was analysed. In total, the research material consists of 3,008 news stories or groups of stories.

The status, nature and topic of the news story were coded and categorized from the material. Other content that was coded included the main actor's/character's reference group, position in the hierarchy of the institution, gender, and age group. Additionally, the central speaker and other speakers in the news item were charted. The representation of the main actor's gender was studied by determining whether their gender, marital status or appearance had been commented on in the story and whether their speech had been described in an emotionally coloured manner. The proportion of eroticism, sexuality and violence in the story were also coded, as well as the number of pictures related to the news story or group of stories and the age and gender of people depicted in these pictures.

State of the Finnish News Media 2008 is a follow-up for the 2006 pilot study. The purpose of the research project is to create an observation system that would produce systematic information on the values, objectives, and practices related to news output.

Keywords

assault; communication; gender; internet; leisure time; mass media; news; news items; news transmission; newspaper press

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Media (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (A) openly available for all users without registration (CC BY 4.0).

Data Collector

• University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Journalism Research and Development Centre

Data Producers

• University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Journalism Research and Development Centre

Time Period Covered

2007-10-05 – 2008-03-04

Collection Dates

2007-10-05 – 2008-03-04

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Media unit: Text

Universe

For newspapers, front-page stories and headline news stories (including all the material relating to the headline stories on the inside pages of the papers). For electronic media (radio, TV, Internet), single items of news/news articles.

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Purposive

The sample was collected during 14 days between October 2007 and March 2008 so that the sample included seven days from both calendar years.

For newspapers, front-page stories and headline news stories (including all the material relating to the headline stories on the inside pages of the papers) were selected. Additionally, for tabloid papers, first three news stories on the inside pages (including one story on foreign affairs) and first two stories in sports and entertainment sections were selected to account for the smaller size of their front pages. For TV and radio news, the headline and the story formed the whole to be analysed. For web pages, the first 12 stories at most on the main news page were selected.

The media studied in the dataset were the newspapers Helsingin Sanomat, Ilkka, Kainuun Sanomat, Turun Sanomat, Iltalehti, Ilta-Sanomat and Metro; radio news of YLE (Päivän peili news broadcast) and Radio Nova; TV news of YLE and MTV3; and the web pages of Helsingin sanomat, Ilkka, Kainuun Sanomat, Turun Sanomat, Iltalehti, Ilta-Sanomat, YLE and MTV3.

Collection Mode

Content coding

Research Instrument

Data collection guidelines: Secondary data collection guide

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.1

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Holma, Aino (University of Tampere) & Raittila, Pentti (University of Tampere) & Saloniemi, Aira (University of Tampere) & Suikkanen, Risto (University of Tampere): State of the Finnish News Media 2008 [dataset]. Version 1.1 (2013-08-07). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2407

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Suikkanen, Risto & Saloniemi, Aira & Holma, Aino (2008): Suomalaisen uutismedian vuosiseuranta 2008. Tampere: Tampereen yliopisto. Tiedotusopin laitos. Julkaisuja; Sarja B:51/2008.