Journalism and Freedom of Speech during the coverage of icon news: First qualitative results

Authors

  • Claudia Lagos Universidad de Chile
  • Cristian Cabalin Universidad de Chile
  • Laureano Checa Universidad de Chile
  • Macarena Peña y Lillo University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Abstract

This article presents a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with editors and reporters who covered an icon news (collusion of drugstores) in order to reconstruct their journalistic routines. Moreover, this paper explores the subtle restrictions on freedom of press and journalism in Chile when private advertising is involved. In this case, journalistic routines are related to implicit rules learned from experience. The study also suggests addressing in future works the relationship between economic actors and media, assuming that the media system is a part of economic elite.

Keywords:

Private advertising, freedom of speech, thematic analysis, economic pressures, print press, pharmacy collusion