Alternative News Reporting in Brazil

Description

This book examines the emergence of alternative forms of news reporting in Brazil with a focus on progressive not-for-profit initiatives. In combining different genres of non-commercial journalism, this study allows us to better understand the potential of alternative news producers in times of continuing technological shifts and their efforts to diversify the news production. Sarmento explores a range of significant questions, including: what does it mean to practice “alternative” journalism? To what extent do non-mainstream practices subvert the taxonomy of news values? Do alternative journalists adhere to or reject journalism’s core values? And, more specifically, as more and more journalists or media producers are collecting, disseminating and interpreting news without being employed by large media groups, what insights can they provide in relation to the economics of digital journalism? Using the turbulent political landscape of Brazil as a case study, Sarmento asks us to reflect on what the erosion of traditional journalism really means. The resulting conclusions will be of value to all those who study or practice journalism around the world, in addition to media researchers and activists. Acknowledgements Contents About the Author List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction Why Brazil? Methodology Overview of the Book References Chapter 2: What Is Alternative Journalism? Introduction The Alternative Ideology Radical, Critical, Citizens’ Media? Rethinking the Public Sphere Defying Conventions Citizen Journalists The Example of Indymedia Digital Native Non-profit Journalism: A New Collective Force? Conclusion References Chapter 3: The Roots of Alternative Media in Brazil Introduction The Birth of the Brazilian Press The Pasquins The Modern Press Publications from the Margins of Society Fascist Inspiration The Power of the Broadcast Industry Alternative Press Versus the Dictatorship Counterculture, Irreverence and Resistance Journalism Post-Dictatorship Grassroots and Community Media Midialivrismo The “Ninjas” Conclusion References Chapter 4: The Role of Alternative Journalists in Brazil Introduction Note on the Methodology Self-Definitions The Representation Gap Making Local News Fighting the “Impossible Version” of Women Setting Their Own Agenda Contesting the Myth of Neutrality Conclusion: Rebalancing Media Power References Chapter 5: Framing the News from Peripheral Angles: An Expansion of News Agenda Introduction News Values Case Studies and Qualitative Content Analysis Investigative Journalism Socio-environmental Journalism Women at the Centre of the News Agenda News from the Favela Analysis and Conclusion References Chapter 6: Sustainability of Alternative Journalism: A Negotiated Entrepreneurship Introduction Seeking Longevity Not-for-Profit Entrepreneurship Financial Viability with Editorial Autonomy Hybridisation Is the Norm Moments of Convergence Non-hierarchical Structures Conclusion: No Single Recipe References Chapter 7: Conclusion: The Renewal of a Tradition of Resistance Introduction Media Power: Why Does Alternative Journalism Matter? Shaping the Public Sphere Diversity of Frames Where Is the Money? Background, Limitations and Future Directions References