Local Press, Minors and the Colombian Armed Conflict : Analysis and Effects on the Public Agenda
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Universidad pontificia Bolivariana
Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
This article presents the results of the research work “Characterization of Information Circulating in the Local Newspapers Vanguardia Liberal and El Frente about Boys and Girls who are Victims of the Armed Conflict.” It is a descriptive and exploratory study that, using the content analysis technique, analyzes the structures of 56 articles in 104 newspapers and how they reported on the topic. Both the research process and the analysis were carried out in light of legal premises referring to the rights of minors immersed in an armed conflict and their comprehensive protection, as contained in the Political Constitution of Colombia and international conventions. It was found that in the news —which accounted for a major part of the publications (58%)— there is very little coverage on boys and girls who are victims of the armed conflict as information sources (6%); and there is no record of analysis of this topic in the editorials and opinion pieces. In summary, boys and girls are taken into account when there are situations that merit publication of a newsworthy event, with an emphasis on the judicial aspect, whereas articles that promote an approach from the perspective of respect and guarantees for their rights are limited.
