The news coverage and media images of Russia and the Russian people presented by the Nordic media–its daily and online newspapers as well as television–crucially determine our perception of this vast country. To a great extent, this daily media coverage, with its media news and narratives, also defines our perception of Russians–the others–and thus colours the way we define our relationships and cooperation with our eastern neighbours.
When it comes to Russia, how the media portray “the others” gains particular importance, for, with the exception of Finland, few in the Nordic countries have personal relations with Russians, few spend holidays in Russia, still fewer master the Russian language, and cross-border trade is rare. The cultural and linguistic gap is wide, and our perception of Russia and the Russians is shaped primarily by the ongoing media coverage and the narratives this divide engenders. The same goes for how the Russians understand and cooperate with us.