Prostitution and trafficking in the Spanish digital press: comparative analysis of news production

Authors

  • Vanesa Saiz Echezarreta Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
  • Diana Fernández Romero Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
  • María Cruz Alvarado López Universidad de Valladolid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7764/cdi.50.27377

Keywords:

prostitution, trafficking, digital media, sex work, abolitionism, social representations

Abstract

In this paper we propose the comparative analysis of the information published on prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation in Spanish media in two periods, 2013-2014 and 2018, with samples of 491 and 1,122 pieces, respectively. The intention is to identify, through a methodological triangulation that includes ethnographic mapping, content analysis and discourse, the indications and trends that make up the media agenda on prostitution and trafficking, the patterns of representation, the dominant stories, and the importance that significant events they regarding legislative, moral and political regulation of this phenomenon. We conclude that there are continuities in the themes, stories and actors, maintaining the priority of the police and judicial actions. Quantitatively, the importance of the information generated by controversial issues is not very relevant, but some issues mark a change in the trend and a break with the information continuity that allows the appearance of new actors and stories, such as the perspective of sex work, which previously received anecdotal coverage.

Author Biographies

Vanesa Saiz Echezarreta, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

Contracted Professor PhD, Faculty of Communication, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Teacher in Journalism Theory, Research Methods and Digital Culture. Researcher at the Semiotics, Communication and Culture Research Group (UCM), specialized in sociocultural analysis with a semiotic perspective, the affective dimension of social movements and gender studies. Scientific production on the mediatization of public problems, controversies and participation, focused on the case study on prostitution.

Diana Fernández Romero, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Contracted Professor PhD, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain. Teacher in Information Theories and director of the Specialist Degree in Prevention and Awareness of Sexual and Gender Violence from a multidisciplinary approach (URJC). Member of the high performance research group on communication, society and culture GICOMSOC. Scientific production on communication, gender, ethical testimony and mediatization of female anger.

María Cruz Alvarado López, Universidad de Valladolid

Associate Professor, Faculty of Social, Legal and Communication Sciences, University of Valladolid, Spain. Professor in Theory and History of Advertising and coordinator of the Master in Communication for Social Purposes, Strategies and Campaigns; from the University of Valladolid. Member of the Research Group in Audiovisual and Hypermedia Communication (GICAVH), currently working on the INTERNÉTICA project. Scientific production on social advertising, history of advertising in Spain and communication for social purposes with a gender perspective.

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Published

2021-07-07

How to Cite

Saiz Echezarreta, V., Fernández Romero, D., & Alvarado López, M. C. (2021). Prostitution and trafficking in the Spanish digital press: comparative analysis of news production. Cuadernos.Info, (50), 158–181. https://doi.org/10.7764/cdi.50.27377

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OTHER TOPICS