THEMES AND VOICES ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA OF THE STATE OF TOCANTINS

THE VISIBILITY OF THE ECONOMY AND THE SPEECH OF THE GOVERNMENT

Abstract

This article evaluated how the development in the state of Tocantins was presented, reported by the press to the society. He considered the texts of the press as symbolic goods, as instruments in symbolic struggles and as power to transform minds and provoke changes. Thus, both development has influence on the press, as the press acts on the direction and dynamics of development. The research analyzed the coverage of Jornal do Tocantins, from 1988 to 2018, and made analysis of framing and sources-voices of 525 texts. It found greater visibility of the sectors of the economy, especially agribusiness. It also found the visibility of other areas: social, environment, infrastructure, etc. In relation to the sources-voices, it verified a large space given to the government, followed by the specialized ones, especially the economic area. In general, the coverage on the development of Tocantins was extensive and heterogeneous. However, it was differentiated: the economic sphere was able to present itself more; and the governmental sphere managed to speak more. Finally, by this differentiation, the newspaper is an active social agent in the process of regional development and is far from being a simple observer who reports.