The National Congress' Covering by Brazilian Newspapers, 1985-1990

Abstract

To analyze the covering of the National Congress in the period of 1985-1990, the author used a sample of 2,523 news published by four important newspapers. In this period, the press rendered the legislative activity more visible to the readers due to the works of the Constituent National Assembly. After the promulgation of the Constitution, the covering of the legislative and parliamentary activities decreased in the newspapers. Therefore, in spite of the Constitution of 1988 having strengthened the National Congress, the newspapers did not begin immediately to give more covering this institution. Finally, the author verified that the newspapers gave few information to the reader about the legislative process, the parliamentary work and the structure of the National Congress.