Evolution of the Photographic Representation of Women on the Front Pages of the Spanish Press (1977-1997): A Comparative Analysis of ABC and El País

Abstract The aim of this research is to analyse the evolution of the photographic representation of women on the front pages of the newspapers ABC and El País, based on a convenience sample of all March issues from 1977 to 1997. The research method used is visual content analysis (Neuendorf, 2017). The units of analysis were obtained from the digital newspaper archives of both newspapers, specifically the front-page archive sections. Of the 1,300 front pages examined, 242 photographs featured women. Beyond the quantitative dimension, the interpretative aspects of visual representation were also considered. This dual approach not only allows for measuring frequencies but also for understanding the cultural and ideological implications of the portrayals. The presence of women on the front pages remains a minority compared to that of men, usually not exceeding 10-15%. Results show that ABC reinforces traditional roles and the decorative representation of women, while El País highlights their political and labour presence, albeit with an emphasis on victimisation. The analysis reveals how these photographs shaped a gendered visual narrative in the press, restricting women’s visibility and recognition in political and professional spheres. Extending these findings to the present, visual stereotypes are shown to persist and to be reproduced not only in digital environments but also in artificial intelligence-generated imagery.