“Subverting spaces”: Mediation of information, peripheral collectives and counter-narratives hegemonic media

Abstract

The actions of interference in Information Mediation carried out by peripheral collectives in Belém, Pará, aiming to build counter-narratives in opposition to local hegemonic media, are discussed. These collectives seek to represent their realities by challenging the prevailing narratives in the local media. The study employs an exploratory approach based on documental and bibliographical analysis, utilizing the method of Critical Discourse Analysis (ACD). Local newspapers, such as Diário do Pará and O Liberal, from 1989 to 2014, were examined to track the portrayal of the neighborhood over time and investigate the actions of interference and the construction of counter-narratives by peripheral collectives. The theoretical references included authors such as Marialva Barbosa and Patrick Charaudeau, emphasizing the analysis of press narratives and information as an act of communication. Grounded in reflections on mediation, actions of interference, and Information Mediation by authors like Davallon, Jeanneret, Martins, and Almeida Júnior, the study aimed to challenge stereotypes and promote authentic and empowered representations of peripheral communities. Additionally, references by Van Dijk regarding the approach of hegemonic media towards minorities were taken into account. The results indicate that Information Mediation, through interference, is utilized by peripheral collectives to compete in the symbolic space, challenging stereotypes and promoting authentic and empowered representations of their communities. These actions strengthen symbolic struggles for a more inclusive and representative communication. In summary, interference in Information Mediation expands studies and investigations, emphasizing the residents' protagonism, who use alternative media to express their experiences, underscoring the transformative power of these discursive practices