Marta Milena Barrios is a Professor of Journalism at the undergraduate and graduate programs of Communications at Universidad del Norte in Colombia. Prior to joining academia, she was a radio and television reporter. In recent years, she has co-authored several publications on journalism and media analysis.Professor Barrios' academic interests include the study of the relation between Colombian society and the informative media. Her research focuses mainly on the study of the texts produced as a result of that relation, including areas such as disaster coverage, political conflict, gender stereotypes, risk management. Outstanding research projects include the international coverage of the war in Iraq, and letters to the editors of the press in Colombia, among others.
We examined the dominant substantive and affective attributes in 358 news items related to water ... more We examined the dominant substantive and affective attributes in 358 news items related to water and waste management in Colombia over five years. The results revealed that the studied texts focused more on the existence of attributes of environmental problems and on positive emotions related to good management practices, than on the effects and solutions. These results explore how Agenda-Setting theory can provide practical guidance for journalists to rethink their environmental coverage from a normative perspective.
ABSTRACT Based on a qualitative analysis of 1,462 articles published during the six years of the ... more ABSTRACT Based on a qualitative analysis of 1,462 articles published during the six years of the signing of the peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla group, this study examines the roles that emerged from the journalist's narratives when their colleagues made the news. Specifically, we seek to understand how they redefined and negotiated their professional roles to survive in Colombia's complex and unsafe environment. The results of our analysis reveal four emerging roles: (1) resilient watchdog; (2) savvy expert; (3) crusader; (4) and community-embedded. The texts examined also reveal how journalists negotiated the agenda-building, since reporters were forced to limit on-site newsgathering, consult multiple sources, self-censor, and deal with the differential working conditions of metropolitan and local journalists as a consequence of risk. This study contributes to role theory by focusing on narrated roles of an insecure democracy from an inductive approach. It further introduces an innovative perspective to boundary work theory, since reporters’ boundaries have been challenged in new, often menacing ways, due to the world's longest-running internal conflict and transition to peace.
The overall objective of this article is to measure what economic indicators and trends can shape... more The overall objective of this article is to measure what economic indicators and trends can shape or change the evaluation of a country by influential foreign media, during turbulent times. The case analyzed is that of Spain during the last economic crisis. Before the crisis, the Spanish economy boomed and was considered a kind of miraculous paradigm, but it abruptly collapsed in 2008. Then, the coverage and the tone of the articles published by some global business newspapers and magazines, as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial
A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la es... more A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la esfera pública expresada en las cartas de los lectores de los diarios El Tiempo y El Heraldo de Colombia. Los resultados muestran cómo la identidad colectiva de los lectores apareció en forma transversal en las cartas, para dar cuenta de una comunidad de adultos que se autodefine como “colombianos de bien”. El análisis reveló dos unidades de significado: posturas sobre la administración de lo público y antagonismos en la esfera pública, centrada en el conflicto político con las guerrillas. A través de estas se pudieron hacer visibles los llamamientos vívidos de los lectores al gobierno, funcionarios públicos, actores al margen de la ley y a sus compatriotas, para movilizarse para exigir cambios sociales largamente esperados.Through an inductive thematic analysis, this article explores the citizen´s vision of the public sphere expressed in the letters to the editor of the newspapers El Tiem...
Chasqui. Revista Latinoamericana de Comunicación, 2017
Este artículo analizó la cobertura de la gestión de riesgo de desastres en tres regiones de Améri... more Este artículo analizó la cobertura de la gestión de riesgo de desastres en tres regiones de América Latina para conocer si el cambio de paradigma, de pensar el riesgo como una construcción social en lugar de enfocarse en el desastre, se veía reflejado en las narrativas periodísticas. Mediante un análisis de contenido de 130 noticias se demostró que la redacción presenta vicios como privilegiar fuentes oficiales y comunicados de prensa o contar los hechos sin análisis ni contexto. Se evidenció que el énfasis permanece en el desastre, lo que representa una oportunidad de ejercer un periodismo de prevención, que presente la GRD como un tema transversal en la agenda mediática, alineada con temas del desarrollo como pobreza, corrupción o salud.
Letters to the editor published by two Colombian newspapers during 1999–2008 were examined. Most ... more Letters to the editor published by two Colombian newspapers during 1999–2008 were examined. Most addressed themes, domestic politics and the citizens’ affairs, were analyzed herein to describe emotions from a qualitative perspective. Findings showed that the internal armed conflict was the main driving force to express the individual’s emotions and judgments. Significant events triggering a wide range of emotions were identified. Two units of meaning emerged: patriotism under siege, to account for people’s love for the nation regardless of their affliction; and fear, the predominant emotion, to explain public distress caused by this intractable conflict. Being aware of the public’s emotional condition questions whether it is worth considering the paradigm of objectivity as an ethical ideal in the journalistic field. It also encourages reporting conflicts through the perspective of peace journalism, emphasizing possible solutions. Since Colombia is currently moving to a post-conflict...
... El problema está en como el revuelto que han hecho, en las facultades de comunicación y los p... more ... El problema está en como el revuelto que han hecho, en las facultades de comunicación y los perfiles se ... Siendo casado, hay una diferencia, pero de pronto también sintiéndose amenazado o sabiendo que alguna noticia que se vaya a ... Vendo la cuña o hipoteco mi conciencia ...
Using a sequential exploratory design within mixed methods, I developed a hermeneutical thematic ... more Using a sequential exploratory design within mixed methods, I developed a hermeneutical thematic content analysis on the letters that readers of the press in Colombia wrote to the editors, between 1999 and 2008. Following an inductive procedure, 5.425 letters were studied from national newspaper El Tiempo and regional El Heraldo. I found that the public wrote about internal politics, citizen´s affairs, the daily production, international politics and 26 other subtopics. The interpretation of the meanings and patterns within the topics of greatest interest, showed a strong sense of community, feelings of frustration and uncertainty about some aspects of national life as well as noticeable differences in the narrative and the emotions expressed by the public of the two dailies.
The 55-year long Colombian conflict with the FARC guerrilla movement ended in 2016 with the signi... more The 55-year long Colombian conflict with the FARC guerrilla movement ended in 2016 with the signing of a peace agreement, which resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of victims of socio-political violence. Paradoxically, this did not improve security for journalists, who were targeted: one was killed, another suffered sexual abuse (Medicina Legal, 2016), and 262 received threats (FLIP, 2017). In a qualitative case study, we content analyzed 592 tweets in order to document how threats from a political powerholder contributed to the formation of networks engaging in verbal violence on Twitter. Results showed that attacks on freedom of the press originated from a legitimate actor, caused an extremely polarized discussion among citizens who took sides, and provoked further threats and accusations. Conciliatory positions were hard to find.
In Latin America, Letters to the Editors (LTE) reflect the constant collective struggle of its pe... more In Latin America, Letters to the Editors (LTE) reflect the constant collective struggle of its people. The situation of Colombia is particularly interesting: this country has been strong in its democratic ideals, despite the threats originated by a long internal conflict between the State with guerrilla groups, drug trafficking, corruption in public and private institutions, among other issues, which have created a wide range of social problems, poverty, and inequality. In that sense, Colombia urgently needs more spaces for its civil society to participate and let their voice be heard for the recently agreed Peace Accord to be long-lasting. While most of the time LTE exemplify an open and constructive forum where readers contribute and participate in political and social life, this section remains unheard, in opposition to violent protests and other actions of social mobilization that are more spectacular but often carry anger and polarization. In Colombia, letters reflect collectiv...
A partir de un análisis temático, esta investigación exploró la vigencia de la crónica entre los ... more A partir de un análisis temático, esta investigación exploró la vigencia de la crónica entre los periodistas y las audiencias latinoamericanos, en una época cuando la inmediatez se ha tomado las redacciones.El estudio de trece textos del periodista colombiano Ernesto McCausland Sojo permitió identificar una amplia gama de temas y un estilo narrativo alternativo. Los resultados mostraron temas universales, como la vida, la muerte, los triunfos y los fracasos; insertaron al costeño en una realidad rodeada de magia, humor y música, y encontraron rasgos diferenciales en el estilo de las crónicas del autor.McCausland fue un periodista multimedia que logró mezclar elementos del cine, la literatura, la poesía, el periodismo y la música en sus relatos y le imprimió nuevos bríos a este género como alternativa de la reportería vertiginosa de la era digital.
A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la es... more A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la esfera pública expresada en las cartas de los lectores de los diarios El Tiempo y El Heraldo de Colombia. Los resultados muestran cómo la identidad colectiva de los lectores apareció en forma transversal en las cartas, para dar cuenta de una comunidad de adultos que se autodefine como “colombianos de bien”. El análisis reveló dos unidades de significado: posturas sobre la administración de lo público y antagonismos en la esfera pública, centrada en el conflicto político con las guerrillas. A través de estas se pudieron hacer visibles los llamamientos vívidos de los lectores al gobierno, funcionarios públicos, actores al margen de la ley y a sus compatriotas, para movilizarse para exigir cambios sociales largamente esperados.
Resumen: A partir de un análisis de contenido realizado a 28 materiales educativos digitales para... more Resumen: A partir de un análisis de contenido realizado a 28 materiales educativos digitales para formar periodistas de Latinoamérica sobre el cubrimiento de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres entre 2012 y 2018, el presente artículo pretende establecer si el enfoque de dichos recursos pedagógicos es coherente con los lineamientos de las agencias internacionales para la formación de los reporteros, en el sentido de propiciar una cobertura adecuada del tema. De manera que corresponda al cambio de paradigma de la atención de desastres a la gestión del riesgo, en el cual se busca propiciar el conocimiento de los riesgos, la reducción y el manejo de los desastres. Los resultados del análisis identificaron avances y limitaciones en la construcción de los manuales, tanto en lo que tiene que ver con su pertinencia pedagógica como en la inclusión de temas centrales para la GRD. A partir de los hallazgos se ofrecen reflexiones para que se fortalezcan la formación de los periodistas en la GRD...
... para imprimir. Texto completo. Id: 17732. Autor: Obregón, Rafael, coord; Arroyave, Jesús; Bar... more ... para imprimir. Texto completo. Id: 17732. Autor: Obregón, Rafael, coord; Arroyave, Jesús; Barrios, Marta Milena. Título: Cubrimiento periodístico de la gestión del riesgo en la Subregión Andina: Discursos periodísticos y perspectivas desde la comunicación para el cambio social. ...
Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies, 2018
This study analysed coverage of the Iraq War during 2003–04 in the only Colombian national newspa... more This study analysed coverage of the Iraq War during 2003–04 in the only Colombian national newspaper during the time, El Tiempo, to establish how the attributes of this conflict, as represented through this medium, were perceived by its audience. We conducted a thematic analysis of 500 news items and 71 letters to the editor (LTE) to establish the polarity of these texts. Findings showed that the negative tone of the coverage seemed related to a strong negative reaction from the public. This supports the first level of influence from agenda-setting theory, since the Iraq War was an important issue for journalists and the public alike. There is also evidence of a second level of influence with regards to the issues reported being considered negative. LTE were gauged in terms of how they criticized coverage of the war, with the particular finding that journalistic professionalism was questioned following bias accusations about the qualifications of the parties at war. Overall, the wider perspective on public concerns offered by this study could help guide journalistic coverage of the Colombian post-conflict phase. Keywords Iraq war Colombia journalism press agenda-setting letters to the editor
resumen A traves de la tecnica de la fotografia participativa, esta investigacion pretendio indag... more resumen A traves de la tecnica de la fotografia participativa, esta investigacion pretendio indagar por el valor patrimonial y el sentido de pertenencia que tiene el centro de Barranquilla (Colombia) para sus visitantes ocasionales y sus usuarios permanentes. Los resultados sugieren que se empieza a recuperar la relacion de los barranquilleros con esta zona de la ciudad; sin embargo, la mirada que tienen los primeros tiende a centrarse en el centro de los deseos, mientras que los segundos, parecen lanzar un S.O.S. sobre las problematicas de funcionamiento que los agobian. Esta falta de cohesion en las visiones de los habitan-tes de Barranquilla en torno a su Centro Historico podria influir de forma negativa en la movilizacion colectiva que se necesita para que funcione como una territorialidad integrada al progreso de la urbe. palabras clave: Centro Historico, Barranquilla, fotografia, cambio social, valor patrimonial. abstract Through the participatory photography technique, this s...
We examined the dominant substantive and affective attributes in 358 news items related to water ... more We examined the dominant substantive and affective attributes in 358 news items related to water and waste management in Colombia over five years. The results revealed that the studied texts focused more on the existence of attributes of environmental problems and on positive emotions related to good management practices, than on the effects and solutions. These results explore how Agenda-Setting theory can provide practical guidance for journalists to rethink their environmental coverage from a normative perspective.
ABSTRACT Based on a qualitative analysis of 1,462 articles published during the six years of the ... more ABSTRACT Based on a qualitative analysis of 1,462 articles published during the six years of the signing of the peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla group, this study examines the roles that emerged from the journalist's narratives when their colleagues made the news. Specifically, we seek to understand how they redefined and negotiated their professional roles to survive in Colombia's complex and unsafe environment. The results of our analysis reveal four emerging roles: (1) resilient watchdog; (2) savvy expert; (3) crusader; (4) and community-embedded. The texts examined also reveal how journalists negotiated the agenda-building, since reporters were forced to limit on-site newsgathering, consult multiple sources, self-censor, and deal with the differential working conditions of metropolitan and local journalists as a consequence of risk. This study contributes to role theory by focusing on narrated roles of an insecure democracy from an inductive approach. It further introduces an innovative perspective to boundary work theory, since reporters’ boundaries have been challenged in new, often menacing ways, due to the world's longest-running internal conflict and transition to peace.
The overall objective of this article is to measure what economic indicators and trends can shape... more The overall objective of this article is to measure what economic indicators and trends can shape or change the evaluation of a country by influential foreign media, during turbulent times. The case analyzed is that of Spain during the last economic crisis. Before the crisis, the Spanish economy boomed and was considered a kind of miraculous paradigm, but it abruptly collapsed in 2008. Then, the coverage and the tone of the articles published by some global business newspapers and magazines, as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial
A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la es... more A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la esfera pública expresada en las cartas de los lectores de los diarios El Tiempo y El Heraldo de Colombia. Los resultados muestran cómo la identidad colectiva de los lectores apareció en forma transversal en las cartas, para dar cuenta de una comunidad de adultos que se autodefine como “colombianos de bien”. El análisis reveló dos unidades de significado: posturas sobre la administración de lo público y antagonismos en la esfera pública, centrada en el conflicto político con las guerrillas. A través de estas se pudieron hacer visibles los llamamientos vívidos de los lectores al gobierno, funcionarios públicos, actores al margen de la ley y a sus compatriotas, para movilizarse para exigir cambios sociales largamente esperados.Through an inductive thematic analysis, this article explores the citizen´s vision of the public sphere expressed in the letters to the editor of the newspapers El Tiem...
Chasqui. Revista Latinoamericana de Comunicación, 2017
Este artículo analizó la cobertura de la gestión de riesgo de desastres en tres regiones de Améri... more Este artículo analizó la cobertura de la gestión de riesgo de desastres en tres regiones de América Latina para conocer si el cambio de paradigma, de pensar el riesgo como una construcción social en lugar de enfocarse en el desastre, se veía reflejado en las narrativas periodísticas. Mediante un análisis de contenido de 130 noticias se demostró que la redacción presenta vicios como privilegiar fuentes oficiales y comunicados de prensa o contar los hechos sin análisis ni contexto. Se evidenció que el énfasis permanece en el desastre, lo que representa una oportunidad de ejercer un periodismo de prevención, que presente la GRD como un tema transversal en la agenda mediática, alineada con temas del desarrollo como pobreza, corrupción o salud.
Letters to the editor published by two Colombian newspapers during 1999–2008 were examined. Most ... more Letters to the editor published by two Colombian newspapers during 1999–2008 were examined. Most addressed themes, domestic politics and the citizens’ affairs, were analyzed herein to describe emotions from a qualitative perspective. Findings showed that the internal armed conflict was the main driving force to express the individual’s emotions and judgments. Significant events triggering a wide range of emotions were identified. Two units of meaning emerged: patriotism under siege, to account for people’s love for the nation regardless of their affliction; and fear, the predominant emotion, to explain public distress caused by this intractable conflict. Being aware of the public’s emotional condition questions whether it is worth considering the paradigm of objectivity as an ethical ideal in the journalistic field. It also encourages reporting conflicts through the perspective of peace journalism, emphasizing possible solutions. Since Colombia is currently moving to a post-conflict...
... El problema está en como el revuelto que han hecho, en las facultades de comunicación y los p... more ... El problema está en como el revuelto que han hecho, en las facultades de comunicación y los perfiles se ... Siendo casado, hay una diferencia, pero de pronto también sintiéndose amenazado o sabiendo que alguna noticia que se vaya a ... Vendo la cuña o hipoteco mi conciencia ...
Using a sequential exploratory design within mixed methods, I developed a hermeneutical thematic ... more Using a sequential exploratory design within mixed methods, I developed a hermeneutical thematic content analysis on the letters that readers of the press in Colombia wrote to the editors, between 1999 and 2008. Following an inductive procedure, 5.425 letters were studied from national newspaper El Tiempo and regional El Heraldo. I found that the public wrote about internal politics, citizen´s affairs, the daily production, international politics and 26 other subtopics. The interpretation of the meanings and patterns within the topics of greatest interest, showed a strong sense of community, feelings of frustration and uncertainty about some aspects of national life as well as noticeable differences in the narrative and the emotions expressed by the public of the two dailies.
The 55-year long Colombian conflict with the FARC guerrilla movement ended in 2016 with the signi... more The 55-year long Colombian conflict with the FARC guerrilla movement ended in 2016 with the signing of a peace agreement, which resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of victims of socio-political violence. Paradoxically, this did not improve security for journalists, who were targeted: one was killed, another suffered sexual abuse (Medicina Legal, 2016), and 262 received threats (FLIP, 2017). In a qualitative case study, we content analyzed 592 tweets in order to document how threats from a political powerholder contributed to the formation of networks engaging in verbal violence on Twitter. Results showed that attacks on freedom of the press originated from a legitimate actor, caused an extremely polarized discussion among citizens who took sides, and provoked further threats and accusations. Conciliatory positions were hard to find.
In Latin America, Letters to the Editors (LTE) reflect the constant collective struggle of its pe... more In Latin America, Letters to the Editors (LTE) reflect the constant collective struggle of its people. The situation of Colombia is particularly interesting: this country has been strong in its democratic ideals, despite the threats originated by a long internal conflict between the State with guerrilla groups, drug trafficking, corruption in public and private institutions, among other issues, which have created a wide range of social problems, poverty, and inequality. In that sense, Colombia urgently needs more spaces for its civil society to participate and let their voice be heard for the recently agreed Peace Accord to be long-lasting. While most of the time LTE exemplify an open and constructive forum where readers contribute and participate in political and social life, this section remains unheard, in opposition to violent protests and other actions of social mobilization that are more spectacular but often carry anger and polarization. In Colombia, letters reflect collectiv...
A partir de un análisis temático, esta investigación exploró la vigencia de la crónica entre los ... more A partir de un análisis temático, esta investigación exploró la vigencia de la crónica entre los periodistas y las audiencias latinoamericanos, en una época cuando la inmediatez se ha tomado las redacciones.El estudio de trece textos del periodista colombiano Ernesto McCausland Sojo permitió identificar una amplia gama de temas y un estilo narrativo alternativo. Los resultados mostraron temas universales, como la vida, la muerte, los triunfos y los fracasos; insertaron al costeño en una realidad rodeada de magia, humor y música, y encontraron rasgos diferenciales en el estilo de las crónicas del autor.McCausland fue un periodista multimedia que logró mezclar elementos del cine, la literatura, la poesía, el periodismo y la música en sus relatos y le imprimió nuevos bríos a este género como alternativa de la reportería vertiginosa de la era digital.
A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la es... more A partir de un análisis temático inductivo, este artículo explora la visión ciudadana sobre la esfera pública expresada en las cartas de los lectores de los diarios El Tiempo y El Heraldo de Colombia. Los resultados muestran cómo la identidad colectiva de los lectores apareció en forma transversal en las cartas, para dar cuenta de una comunidad de adultos que se autodefine como “colombianos de bien”. El análisis reveló dos unidades de significado: posturas sobre la administración de lo público y antagonismos en la esfera pública, centrada en el conflicto político con las guerrillas. A través de estas se pudieron hacer visibles los llamamientos vívidos de los lectores al gobierno, funcionarios públicos, actores al margen de la ley y a sus compatriotas, para movilizarse para exigir cambios sociales largamente esperados.
Resumen: A partir de un análisis de contenido realizado a 28 materiales educativos digitales para... more Resumen: A partir de un análisis de contenido realizado a 28 materiales educativos digitales para formar periodistas de Latinoamérica sobre el cubrimiento de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres entre 2012 y 2018, el presente artículo pretende establecer si el enfoque de dichos recursos pedagógicos es coherente con los lineamientos de las agencias internacionales para la formación de los reporteros, en el sentido de propiciar una cobertura adecuada del tema. De manera que corresponda al cambio de paradigma de la atención de desastres a la gestión del riesgo, en el cual se busca propiciar el conocimiento de los riesgos, la reducción y el manejo de los desastres. Los resultados del análisis identificaron avances y limitaciones en la construcción de los manuales, tanto en lo que tiene que ver con su pertinencia pedagógica como en la inclusión de temas centrales para la GRD. A partir de los hallazgos se ofrecen reflexiones para que se fortalezcan la formación de los periodistas en la GRD...
... para imprimir. Texto completo. Id: 17732. Autor: Obregón, Rafael, coord; Arroyave, Jesús; Bar... more ... para imprimir. Texto completo. Id: 17732. Autor: Obregón, Rafael, coord; Arroyave, Jesús; Barrios, Marta Milena. Título: Cubrimiento periodístico de la gestión del riesgo en la Subregión Andina: Discursos periodísticos y perspectivas desde la comunicación para el cambio social. ...
Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies, 2018
This study analysed coverage of the Iraq War during 2003–04 in the only Colombian national newspa... more This study analysed coverage of the Iraq War during 2003–04 in the only Colombian national newspaper during the time, El Tiempo, to establish how the attributes of this conflict, as represented through this medium, were perceived by its audience. We conducted a thematic analysis of 500 news items and 71 letters to the editor (LTE) to establish the polarity of these texts. Findings showed that the negative tone of the coverage seemed related to a strong negative reaction from the public. This supports the first level of influence from agenda-setting theory, since the Iraq War was an important issue for journalists and the public alike. There is also evidence of a second level of influence with regards to the issues reported being considered negative. LTE were gauged in terms of how they criticized coverage of the war, with the particular finding that journalistic professionalism was questioned following bias accusations about the qualifications of the parties at war. Overall, the wider perspective on public concerns offered by this study could help guide journalistic coverage of the Colombian post-conflict phase. Keywords Iraq war Colombia journalism press agenda-setting letters to the editor
resumen A traves de la tecnica de la fotografia participativa, esta investigacion pretendio indag... more resumen A traves de la tecnica de la fotografia participativa, esta investigacion pretendio indagar por el valor patrimonial y el sentido de pertenencia que tiene el centro de Barranquilla (Colombia) para sus visitantes ocasionales y sus usuarios permanentes. Los resultados sugieren que se empieza a recuperar la relacion de los barranquilleros con esta zona de la ciudad; sin embargo, la mirada que tienen los primeros tiende a centrarse en el centro de los deseos, mientras que los segundos, parecen lanzar un S.O.S. sobre las problematicas de funcionamiento que los agobian. Esta falta de cohesion en las visiones de los habitan-tes de Barranquilla en torno a su Centro Historico podria influir de forma negativa en la movilizacion colectiva que se necesita para que funcione como una territorialidad integrada al progreso de la urbe. palabras clave: Centro Historico, Barranquilla, fotografia, cambio social, valor patrimonial. abstract Through the participatory photography technique, this s...
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