meediakriitikas

Meediakriitikas, or media criticism in Estonian, denotes the practice of evaluating media content and processes. It encompasses analysis of the reliability and fairness of news reporting, the transparency of sources, editorial independence, representation of groups, and the ethical standards of producers and outlets. Practitioners, often referred to as meediakriitikud (media critics), work across journalism, academia, and independent watchdog platforms, producing critique articles, reviews, and commentary for newspapers, broadcasters, or online outlets.

Origins and scope: The field draws on longstanding traditions of journalistic critique and academic media studies and expanded with the rise of online media and social platforms. It covers fact-checking, bias and framing analysis, coverage of public affairs, and scrutiny of media ownership and advertising influence. Critics may publish in newspapers, magazines, radio or television programs, blogs, and independent platforms.

Role and ethics: Media criticism aims to inform citizens, foster accountability, and support media literacy. It addresses accuracy, fairness, transparency of sources, representation of minorities and marginalized groups, and the independence of the critic from political or commercial interests. Ethical considerations include avoiding harm, ensuring transparent funding sources, and responsibly handling sensitive information. Critics may encounter tensions with editors when critique challenges prevailing narratives.

Relation to other fields: It intersects with journalism ethics, fact-checking, media literacy, communication studies, and regulatory debates on press freedom. The practice uses methods such as content analysis, source verification, and framing analysis, and it remains diverse in approach—from scholarly research to real-time media monitoring.

See also: Fact-checking, Media literacy, Journalism ethics, Press freedom.