THE SPACE OF ANTI-DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSES IN THE MEDIA

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOURNALISTIC PROCESS CONTRIBUTING TO POPULISM

Abstract

The article analyzes the complex relationship between populist leaders and press. Although populists often adopt discourse against to traditional media, the coverage carried out by the media contributes, at some way, to populism. We argue that this occurs in two ways: when a (usually small) portion of the media supports these leaders and through setting the agenda of themes raised by populists in the press, which is guided by a pattern of news production that ends up amplifying the reach of the populist discourse. We argue that the media should review this position and adopt a stance that is less open to authoritarian discourse.