An Analysis of Neocolonial Media Dynamics in the News about Puerto Rico

Download or read book An Analysis of Neocolonial Media Dynamics in the News about Puerto Rico written by Aitza M. Haddad Núñez and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The research undertaken and presented here addresses the controversial issue of United States news media portrayals of the Island Nation of Puerto Rico, specifically related to news underrepresentation and misrepresentation during the period 2000 to 2015. The research was motivated, in part, by the acknowledged paucity of research about media in Puerto Rico in general, and, more specifically, about the role of media in the political life of Puerto Rico. The overall conceptual orientation to the analysis of media dynamics presented here is within the theoretical framework of neocolonialism supported by social construction of reality theory as applied to news. The analysis was guided by the recognized understanding that the gate keeping functions of the media, together with the routine processes of determining what is or is not newsworthy, do not allow for news to be neutral or impartial. Data were gathered and examined using a sequential quantitative-qualitative mixed methods approach, which involved a descriptive univariate quantitative statistical analysis to identify and explore salient patterns and characteristics of news coverage about Puerto Rico by major United States broadcast and print outlets during the fifteen-year period cited. The major finding of the study is that, through the allied processes of misrepresentation and underrepresentation of news, United States news media portrayals of Puerto Rico have continued to promote the neocolonial media dynamics of globalization by creating and fostering a discourse about Puerto Rico that sustains and reinforces its condition as dependent and unprepared for independent political status. This study aims to promote the study and deeper appreciation of neocolonial media dynamics of globalization, and therefore, to serve as a foundation for future studies exploring such phenomena across the globe.