Invisibilización e hipervisibilización mediática de los sectores empobrecidos en Puerto Rico : implicaciones para la construcción de ciudadanía y el desarrollo de políticas sociales

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the invisibilization and hypervisibilization of the poor in Puerto Rican media. The main objectives of the study were: To gather the perceptions and knowledge regarding invisibilization hypervisibilization; To draw what this situation implies for the development of citizenship and social policy and; To create guidelines to devise social and media visibilization policies. Conceptually, we worked from a constructionist perspective (Berger and Luckman, 1972; Gergen, 2010; Yáñez, 2010). Methodologically, from a Grounded Theory perspective (Bryant and Charmaz, 2007 and Birks and Mills, 2012). Qualitative method design was used to apply content analysis to the participant's statements. The research techniques were in-depth interviews and focus groups. Secondary sources (laws) were also analyzed. This method allowed for triangulation. A total of 23 persons took part in the study: Eight community leaders (first focus group); Six social work, communications and legal professionals (second focus group); and six managers from the media (in-depth interviews). Three emerging interviews were also carried out with a historian, a TV journalist and a representative from the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board. The importance of this research is that it generated a profound discussion of the phenomenon being studied. The most significant results of this research are: 1) The majority of participants acknowledge that media invisibilization hypervisibilization reveal and reproduce prejudice, stigmatization, and hurt human dignity of the poor; 2) This phenomenon is perceived as an obstacle to the effective exercise of citizenship and democracy; 3) This disadvantage in the media highlights the need to develop social policies for media visibilization, integration and democratization; 4) From a justice, equality and human rights perspective, concerted efforts should be made to educate, raise awareness and mobilize impoverished sectors to learn about and demand access to the media; 5) It is imperative for communications media management to transcend hyper commercialist models and fulfill its social role regarding disadvantaged sectors.The purpose of this research is to study the invisibilization and hypervisibilization of the poor in Puerto Rican media. The main objectives of the study were: To gather the perceptions and knowledge regarding invisibilization hypervisibilization; To draw what this situation implies for the development of citizenship and social policy and; To create guidelines to devise social and media visibilization policies. Conceptually, we worked from a constructionist perspective (Berger and Luckman, 1972; Gergen, 2010; Yáñez, 2010). Methodologically, from a Grounded Theory perspective (Bryant and Charmaz, 2007 and Birks and Mills, 2012). Qualitative method design was used to apply content analysis to the participant's statements. The research techniques were in-depth interviews and focus groups. Secondary sources (laws) were also analyzed. This method allowed for triangulation. A total of 23 persons took part in the study: Eight community leaders (first focus group); Six social work, communications and legal professionals (second focus group); and six managers from the media (in-depth interviews). Three emerging interviews were also carried out with a historian, a TV journalist and a representative from the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board. The importance of this research is that it generated a profound discussion of the phenomenon being studied. The most significant results of this research are: 1) The majority of participants acknowledge that media invisibilization hypervisibilization reveal and reproduce prejudice, stigmatization, and hurt human dignity of the poor; 2) This phenomenon is perceived as an obstacle to the effective exercise of citizenship and democracy; 3) This disadvantage in the media highlights the need to develop social policies for media visibilization, integration and democratization; 4) From a justice, equality and human rights perspective, concerted efforts should be made to educate, raise awareness and mobilize impoverished sectors to learn about and demand access to the media; 5) It is imperative for communications media management to transcend hyper commercialist models and fulfill its social role regarding disadvantaged sectors.