Violence and Social Representation: Journalistic Speeches about Schoolshooting

Abstract

The media, especially television news, are considered important for the elaboration of content of what is reported. Based on the choice of a particular incident, we sought to analyze how the news programs report and represent an episode of violence. As well as, identify the strategies used in the production of meanings and the social representations emerging in these discourses. At first, a qualitative and documentary research was carried out, having as analysis objects 6 videos of newscasts shown at the time available on the YouTube channel about the shooting case at Escola Estadual Professor Raul Brasil, Suzano, São Paulo. The media was taken as a privileged macro-witness, assuming one of the important roles as a social actor, when it comes to showing the facts to beyond the thresholds that actually occurred. The results were discussed in two topics: the emerging social representations and the polarization of meanings; and sensationalism, disarmament and mental health. It is concluded that the way the press communicates the facts, creates and disseminates meanings about violence interferes in the representations, which guide social practices. And yet, it is necessary to debate responsibly and seriously about the ways in which we are dealing with insecurity and psychological suffering, and to seek collective solutions and public policies to confront violence in Brazil.The media, especially television news, are considered important for the elaboration of content of what is reported. Based on the choice of a particular incident, we sought to analyze how the news programs report and represent an episode of violence. As well as, identify the strategies used in the production of meanings and the social representations emerging in these discourses. At first, a qualitative and documentary research was carried out, having as analysis objects 6 videos of newscasts shown at the time available on the YouTube channel about the shooting case at Escola Estadual Professor Raul Brasil, Suzano, São Paulo. The media was taken as a privileged macro-witness, assuming one of the important roles as a social actor, when it comes to showing the facts to beyond the thresholds that actually occurred. The results were discussed in two topics: the emerging social representations and the polarization of meanings; and sensationalism, disarmament and mental health. It is concluded that the way the press communicates the facts, creates and disseminates meanings about violence interferes in the representations, which guide social practices. And yet, it is necessary to debate responsibly and seriously about the ways in which we are dealing with insecurity and psychological suffering, and to seek collective solutions and public policies to confront violence in Brazil.