Marta Milena Barrios e-mail(Login required)

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Marta Milena Barrios e-mail(Login required)

Abstract

96
Using a sequential exploratory design within mixed methods, I developed a hermeneutical thematic content analysis on the letters that readers of the press in Colombia wrote to the editors, between 1999 and 2008. Following an inductive procedure, 5.425 letters were studied from national newspaper El Tiempo and regional El Heraldo. I found that the public wrote about internal politics, citizen´s affairs, the daily production, international politics and 26 other subtopics. The interpretation of the meanings and patterns within the topics of greatest interest, showed a strong sense of community, feelings of frustration and uncertainty about some aspects of national life as well as noticeable differences in the narrative and the emotions expressed by the public of the two dailies.

Keywords

Letters to the Editors, newspapers, Colombia, mixed methods research

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