Changing Spatial Relations in the Baltic Region and the Role of the Media. An Estonian Perspective.

This article presents an analysis of changing spatial relations in the Baltic region from an Estonian viewpoint. Changes in spatial relations during the last decade are indicated by the density of personal contacts, news flows, cultural exchanges and trade relations between Estonia and other countries. The empirical analysis is based on statistical data and survey results. Analysis of media content has been conducted to reveal the level of attention given to different foreign countries. The results show that the structure of mediated spatial relations differs from the social space of practical interactions between people. The spaces of direct economic relations and personal contacts in Estonia are centred on the Baltic Sea, illustrated by the dominant roles of Finland and Sweden, an increasing proximity to other EU countries and the weakening role of Russia. At the same time the mediated social space of Estonia is changing following EU enlargement; from the representation of a bi-polar world dominated by political centres located in Russia and USA towards a multi-centred international space, demonstrated in the growing influence of core EU countries. Keywords: spatial relations; Baltic Sea region; Baltic countries; Estonia; European integration; media conten