Violencia en la oferta mediática de Barranquilla (Colombia)

Abstract

This study seeks to establish the levels of violence in the media environment in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia) and drawing from different theoretical perspectives discusses the potential implications of such levels of media violence. Authors also propose an educational alternative to counteract this reality that will allow media users to critically analize violent media content.

This research is based upon a content analysis developed in 1999, which includes an analysis of violent content of print and audiovisual media available in Barranquilla based on several categories of violence such as physical violence, psychological violence, and sexual violence, among other categories. Results show that there is a high level of violence in the media available in Barranquilla and the implications of this reality are discussed within the context of Cultivation Theory and Social Learning Theory. Authors suggest critical television viewing as a an educational alternative that will contribute to formation of audiences better prepared to resignify and reinterpret media messages.