The study examines Finnish political media culture from the point of view of politicians and activists. It asks what factors make public participation meaningful and what kinds of risks it involves. It also tries to ascertain the role of emotions in politics and activism. The study thus contributes to the recent debate on the mediatization of politics and the change in political media culture. Do the politicians and activists feel that media publicity has become more harsh and scandalous? Does such a development even threaten democracy and people’s willingness to act publicly for their objectives?

Thematic interviews serve as the main methodological instrument in the study. The interviewees include both well-known politicians and individuals who promote their societal objectives in other ways. In addition, to demonstrate how politicians and activists are treated in the media media texts are also analyzed. This analysis concerns the recent debate on Romanian beggars and a proposal to ban public begging in Finland.