Keywords
Brazilian media
Public discourse
International communication
BRICS
How to Cite
Abstract
ABSTRACT – This study assesses the visibility of BRICS, its member states, and associated themes within the Brazilian-mediated public sphere. The theoretical framework centers on the role of journalism in monitoring foreign systems through foreign news coverage. Additionally, we consider the traditional structure of foreign reporting to discuss the potential factors shaping the media salience of the BRICS constellation. By conducting a quantitative and longitudinal (2011-2019) content analysis, we examined 1,451 articles from the newspapers O Estado de S. Paulo and O Globo. The Brazilian press primarily discusses global powers, crisis regions, neighboring states, and Brazil’s key trade partners. China (5.1%) receives the most coverage among BRICS countries, likely due to its geopolitical power and strong economic ties with Brazil. Russia-related issues (4.1%), particularly those involving security and justice, also receive considerable focus. Conversely, Indian (1%) and South African (0.8%) issues receive noticeably less coverage. The BRICS bloc itself exhibits relatively low visibility, potentially hindering its recognition among the Brazilian public.
RESUMO – Este estudo avalia o grau de visibilidade do grupo BRICS, de seus estados membros e dos temas a eles relacionados dentro da esfera pública brasileira. O arcabouço teórico centra-se no papel do jornalismo em monitorar sistemas estrangeiros por meio de coberturas internacionais. Além disso, consideramos a estrutura tradicional do jornalismo internacional para discutir os possíveis fatores que moldam a visibilidade midiática dos países do BRICS. A partir de uma análise de conteúdo quantitativa e longitudinal (2011-2019), examinamos 1.451 matérias publicadas pelos jornais O Estado de S. Paulo e O Globo. A imprensa brasileira discute, principalmente, potências globais, países em crise, estados vizinhos e os principais parceiros comerciais do Brasil. A China (5.1%) é o país dos BRICS com mais visibilidade, provavelmente devido ao seu poderio geopolítico e fortes laços econômicos com o Brasil. Questões relacionadas à Rússia (4.1%), especialmente aquelas envolvendo segurança e justiça, também recebem foco considerável. Temas envolvendo a Índia (1%) e a África do Sul (0.8%) recebem significativamente menos atenção midiática. O próprio bloco BRICS exibe uma visibilidade relativamente baixa, o que pode dificultar o seu reconhecimento entre o público brasileiro.
RESUMEN – Este estudio evalúa el grado de visibilidad del grupo BRICS, sus estados miembros y los temas relacionados con ellos dentro de la esfera pública brasileña. El marco teórico se centra en el papel del periodismo en el monitoreo de sistemas extranjeros a través de la cobertura internacional. Además, se considera la estructura tradicional del periodismo internacional para discutir los posibles factores que dan forma a la visibilidad mediática de los países del BRICS. Mediante un análisis de contenido cuantitativo y longitudinal, se examinaron 1.451 artículos publicados por los periódicos O Estado de S. Paulo y O Globo. La prensa brasileña discute principalmente potencias globales, países en crisis, estados vecinos y principales socios comerciales. China (5.1%) es el país del BRICS con mayor visibilidad, probablemente debido a su poder geopolítico y fuertes lazos económicos con Brasil Los temas relacionados con Rusia (4.1%), las relacionadas con la seguridad y la justicia, también reciben una atención considerable. Los temas relacionados con la India (1%) y Sudáfrica (0.8%) reciben significativamente menos atención. El propio bloque BRICS exhibe una visibilidad relativamente baja, lo que puede dificultar su reconocimiento entre el público brasileño.
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