Media representation of excluded groups: experiences of ethnic groups, migrants, prisoners, and LGBTQIA+ collectives in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile

Introduction: This study seeks to understand how the media represent the socially excluded groups in Latin America and how, in turn, those who make up said groups self-represent their living conditions and relationships with the institutions of the State. This study considered four excluded groups (ethnic groups, migrants, prisoners, and LGBTQIA+) from four cities in three countries (La Plata in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Temuco and Valdivia in Chile). Methods: Two phases were considered. Firstly, we worked with the press (with 1,136 news distributed in 13 media outlets in the three countries mentioned above). Secondly, we applied surveys (a total of 133), in-depth interviews (a total of 118), and discussion groups (a total of 19). Results: On the one hand, the results show that socially excluded groups are represented in the media with a profile characterized as violent and disadvantaged compared to the rest, marginalized, judicialized, emotionally integrated, and entrepreneurial. On the other hand, the tension between a global satisfaction with life and a specific frustration with where they find themselves is striking among immigrants. Conclusion: Negative media representations are explained by the conservative role of the media. Discrimination as a transversal relationship associated with ideas such as problematic, dangerous subjects or threats to the stability of society is explained by the relationships between established groups and those who arrive.