City Research Online

Abstract

In the aftermath of the dictatorship (1964-1985), Brazil shifted away from the state to embrace market liberal democracy and global capitalism. The mainstream press in the last 18 years since the end of the military regime has experienced the tensions of attending to the public interest in response to the country’s democratisation whilst maximising consumerism approaches to news due to market pressures. The media acquired more credibility amid the growth of press freedom. Public debate and independence from the state also increased and liberal journalism cultures of professionalism and objectivity expanded in newsrooms to the detriment of partisanship routines. Worries concerning the media’s adherence to the public interest and the limits imposed on the enhancement of debate are growing though in the light of the continuous predominance of the market in the communication sector. This thesis discusses these realms of conflict by focusing on key historical and political events which contributed to re-shape power structures in Brazil. It debates the role assumed by the press and journalists in the democratisation process (1984-2002).

This research has focused on four case studies which include: a) the 1984 direct elections campaign (Diretas Já); b) the first presidential elections of 1989 followed by the 1992 impeachment; c) the elections of 1994, which occurred amid the launch of the real stabilization plan, and d) the 2002 contest which elected the first left-wing government in Brazil since the 1964 military coup. This thesis questions to what extent the press in general – or certain media vehicles in particular – contributed to promote social and political change in the last two decades. Textual and content analysis have been used here to examine news material from national newspapers and elite magazines, while in-depth interviews with key journalists were conducted in order to discuss news production practices and editorial judgments.

Publication Type:	Book
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform J Political Science J Political Science > JL Political institutions (America except United States) P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General)
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity School of Communication & Creativity > Media, Culture & Creative Industries
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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