Impartiality in the news from Brazil’s federal government

evaluating journalism within the political sphere

Abstract

This article focuses on the practice of journalism within government communication in Brazil, specifically the radio program Voz do Brasil - News from the Executive Branch. Based on McQuail's (2012) understanding of the parameters of mass media performance, this work analyzes the impartiality criterion in 79 radio news providers by means of content analysis techniques. Impartiality relates to the components of balance and neutrality evaluated via the access of sources to the news report and the rating of evaluative assertions. Although its official mission is bringing public interest information from the federal government to citizens, the radio program analyzed reinforces a positive image of the government and its leaders, reiterating official voices and relegating the citizen to a mere beneficiary of public services. The professional practice of journalism in the context of the vehicle is problematized in its relationship with the Brazilian public communication company (EBC) and the General Secretariat for the Communication of the Presidency (Secom).