Between politicizing the coverage and defending the field

Brazilian journalism and its dilemmas

Abstract

This work aims to discuss to what extent specific transformations noticed in journalistic production routines result in a growing politicization of media coverage. More precisely, we argue that contrary to the principles of impartiality and objectivity claimed by the field of Journalism in Brazil, there is evidence of changes in the organizational connections of news companies and in the willingness of media professionals to act in political life. If, on the one hand, politicization has to do with the very survival of journalistic organizations (which struggle to maintain their legitimacy in a challenging economic scenario), on the other, there is a risk that being perceived as biased will modify the relationship that the field establishes with the public. By violating certain limits to refute opposing politicians, the commitment of journalistic organizations to the public interest may be called into question.