Revista Encontros (Jul 2016)
DILMA ROUSSEFF IN THE BRAZILIAN PRESS: From the reelection to the impeachment process.
Abstract
This paper aims to highlight how the Brazilian press has been addressing the re-election process and impeachment concerning the government of President Dilma Rousseff. To achieve this objective, the newspaper O Globo, in its electronic version, was selected since it addresses both national and international issues and has a more significant exposure than other existing media in the country. In this regard, the newspaper has been publishing several reports about the current Brazilian political context considering the government Dilma Rousseff during the first and second presidential terms. The events of re-election and the process of impeachment were presented in a particular way by the selected newspaper, focusing on the construction of a negatively distorted image of both the president and the government in question. This construction has shown a given editorial position upon the domestic political conjuncture. Firstly, the article addresses reflections on the influence of the media on the formation of political perceptions in/about the Brazilian scene. Secondly, it analyses the approach of the newspaper concerning the aforementioned subject matter. Finally, it stresses the importance of the diversification of means of media, which still remain under monopoly of few family companies. These three questions point to not only a deeper view of the democratic experience, but also the relevance of political and ideological plurality in the contemporary Brazilian society.
