"Is this the Estonia we wanted?"

Competing Interpretations of Re-independence in Estonia's Leading Newspapers

Abstract

This article analyzes the image of Estonia’s re-independence and the subsequent social development conveyed by Estonia’s three largest newspapers (Postimees, Eesti Päevaleht, Õhtuleht) in 2001, 2011 and 2021. Although these newspapers are officially unaffiliated, this article argues that they nonetheless provide three different politicized interpretations and images of history. Postimees supported the right-wing market liberal politics practiced in Estonia and therefore saw the social development after 1991 as positive. It also supported the national conservative interpretation of Estonia’s struggle for independence. Eesti Päevaleht sympathized with left-wing interpretations, which resulted in nearly the opposite view. Õhtuleht was positioned between these two newspapers in terms of the image it conveyed, but was more similar to Eesti Päevaleht.