Internal diversity and political parties

: comparing Expresso’s online and print coverage of the 2022 Portuguese legislative elections

Abstract

In modern democratic societies, the value of news media content diversity in
safeguarding social harmony cannot be underestimated. By providing citizens with a broad range of political, economic and social viewpoints, news media outlets ensure that everyone can participate meaningfully in the democratic process. This task is particularly important in elections, as this is when the public must decide who will be in government. By means of a content analysis of Expresso’s coverage of the 2022 Portuguese legislative elections, this report, which was the culmination of a 6-month internship in Expresso, determined which format, online or print, can better deliver diverse news content. At the article level, the average Expresso print article mentioned more political parties, actors and topics. At the newspaper level, however, both formats displayed strikingly similar levels of content diversity. The results of a multilevel analysis indicate that the size of the article is positively related to content diversity, while game and conflict news frames, often derided as conducive to polarizing and frivolous reporting, can also play a vital role in improving the multiperspectival nature of election coverage.

Date of Award	16 Jan 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rita Figueiras (Supervisor)