What do readers think about the newspapers they read? Times have changed and newly emerging media forms allow the public to question the information provided. 'Letters to the editor' are a thing of the past while twitter, blogs and facebook dominate the means of communication and self expression. More important to investigate is what role do global publications play in this communication revolution? An assessment of the similarities and differences among The New York Times, The Guardian, and Globo.com's approach to delivering the news begins to shed light on this complex question.
Globo.com is the online domain of TV Globo, the largest Brazilian Media Network and fourth largest in the World. TV Globo reaches over 120 million people daily while their Internet portal attracts a mere two million visitors annually. Although the Network is a major player in the media industry, it is not considered highly credible. The majority of Brazilians perceive Globo.com's news coverage as having a sensationalist slant. While the site's coverage of national and international breaking news is extensive, its hard news content is often condensed and superficial. More focus is devoted to entertainment-focused fluff pieces intended to promote the network's Soap Operas.
The coverage of Jaycee Dugard's kidnapping exemplifies Globo.com's sensationalism and minimization of hard news content. On Saturday August 29th, 2009, while most media outlets were devoting extensive attention to the case, Globo.com's only mention was in the form of a concise article, which emphasized the most morbid aspects of the story, as though it were a Stephen King novel. The Globo.com writer's account focused primarily on the beliefs of the kidnapper, a religious zealot.
Although Facebook houses a group of a mere 154 members, that calls itself, "Haters of the Guardian Newspaper", the majority of British readers seem to approve of The Guardian's news coverage. The paper is one of the most popular British publications, famous for its liberal leaning, as features editor Ian Katz affirms, "it is no secret we are a centre-left newspaper".
To continue with the Jaycee Dugard example, on Friday August 28th, 2009, in contrast to Globo.com, The Guardian printed a lengthy (1168 word), eloquent, and in depth article. However, similar to the Globo.com's tendency towards over-dramatization, Guardian correspondent Ed Pilkington created a very emotional tone by inserting several quotes from the victim's parents as well as the defendant, whose religious beliefs were referenced in the headline. This approach blurs the line between an accounting of the facts and Pilkington's personal feelings toward them.
Despite opednews.com's recent claim that the New York Times "distorted public opinion reporting in Health Care" coverage, the Times still holds good credibility among Americans.
The New York Times' coverage of the Jaycee Dugard kidnapping was very balanced and fair in contrast to both The Guardian and Globo.com The 1,252 word Times article entitled, "Kidnapping Victim Was Not Always Locked Away", included photographs, giving the reader a privileged view of the crime scene. Of the three Dugard articles reviewed, the Times' piece was the most comprehensive, well-written and objective accounting of the events. Three journalists collaborated to write it, allowing additional perspectives to be included, whereas in The Guardian and on Globo.com, an individual correspondent was documenting their perception alone. The Times article included far more sources than the others, with interviews of law enforcement officials, neighbors, and one of the defendant's clients in addition to the Dugard family.
Not only the media forms that have evolved, but the public has become increasingly more savvy and eager to question the validity of the information consumed than ever before. While the three news sources definitely may be pushing their particular political agenda or have a tendency to dramatize in an effort to increase
