Journalistic role performance around the globe

Codebook for the analysis of news from the national written press

Introduction

This codebook was designed to help you in the process of coding the content of news items (i.e. unit of analysis is the news item). Specifically, it will be used to quantitatively analyze the diversity of the journalistic role performance models adopted by the print media, to make them comparable to models adopted by the national print media within other countries around the globe.

A news item will be understood as the group of continuous verbal and visual elements that refer to the same topic. The coding of the news items selected for this project is divided into four sections:

1. General information of the news item
   In the first section, basic information of each news item should be identified. The coding instructions for the first section of variables are found under the title "General information of the news item".
2. Story characteristics
   The third section of this codebook analyzes the characteristics of the story covered by the news item. The coding instructions for this section are mapped out under “story characteristics”.
3. Sources and reporting methods
   The fourth section of the codebook analyzes the sources and actors present in the news item. The coding instructions for this section are found under the title “Sources and reporting methods”.
4. Models of professional role performance
   The last section analyzes the models of professional role performance and reporting strategies taken on by (INSERT YOUR specific country) journalism. The coding instructions for this section are found under the title “Models of journalistic role performance”.

Within each section, each variable is defined based on the conceptual framework used by this project. You should refer to these definitions and only these definitions when coding each news story. You may know of other definitions of some of the variables measured here, but they do not apply to this study.

Each news item should be coded based on the following instructions. You may have previous experience in news research or coding, but as each study is different, you should code the news item according to those instructions only. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any point within the data gathering process (INSERT PEOPLE TO CONTACT).

General instructions

Your job here is to read each news item and code each variable in numerical order, according to the corresponding codesheet that will be used for each unit of the sample.

In each one of the following sections you will find the list of variables that will be measured by this project, as well as their definitions.

Your first task is to familiarize yourself with each variable and its definition. Do this by quickly reading the list of variables several times, and ask the Principal Investigator of your country for help in case you do not understand. Remember that there may be definitions with which you may not be very familiar, so it is important that you pay close attention.

Together with the definitions, you will find specific instructions on how to code each variable and some examples. If no specific instructions are mentioned with a measured variable, follow these basic instructions:

 

Measurements: Variables and coding

Part I. General information of the news item

V001 CODERID
Corresponds to the number assigned to the person coding the content of the news item (LOCAL RESEARCHERS DEFINE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE OF CODERS)

V002 ITEMID
Corresponds to the news item’s identification number, located on the upper right-hand side of the news item (LOCAL RESEARCHERS DEFINE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE OF ARTICLE)

V003 NEWSPAPER
Refers to the name of the newspaper in which the news item was published
1= (Local researcher define name of newspaper).
2= (Local researcher define name of newspaper).
3= (Local researcher define name of newspaper).
4= (Local researcher define name of newspaper).
5= (Local researcher define name of newspaper).

V004 ITEMDATE
Refers to the news item’s date of publication.

V004a Year: Corresponds to the year that the news item was published. Write down the year of publication in the YYYY space.

V004b Month: Corresponds to the month that the news item was published.
1= January
2= February
3= March
4= April
5= May
6= June
7= July
8= August
9= September
10= October
11= November
12= December

V004c Day: Corresponds to the day of the week that the news is published.
1= Monday
2= Tuesday
3= Wednesday
4= Thursday
5= Friday
6= Saturday
7= Sunday

V005 INFOPRODUCTION

V005a Author
Corresponds to who signs the produced information. The identification of who produces the content is generally located at the beginning or end of a news item.
1= Reporter/ Internal staff (Designates a story that has been reported by one or more internal staff, with or without a byline, if they are individualized)
2= Combo wire/staff
3= Correspondent (The journalist contributes to the news media from a distant – national or foreing – location, and the news item explicitly names the journalist as such).
4= Wire
5= Other media (The author of the news item is the media outlet which provide the news story).
6= Undetermined

V005b Journalistname
Corresponds to the name of the first author who signs the news item (only if the author is coded as Reporter/ Internal staff, or Correspondent, in the previous question). Write down the name in the assigned space.
If the item is written by combo wire/staff, news wire, or if it is signed with initials, or by an editorial board, or no name is provided, write 99. If the news item has been written by more than one journalist/staff, write the name of the first author.

V005c Journalistgender
Corresponds to the author’s gender
0= Female
1= Male
9= Undetermined (When no name of a journalist is provided or WIRE)

V006 STORYTYPE
It corresponds to the type of news item being coded
0= Brief
A short news item that reports information of contingent events. It has up to three paragraphs, and does not usually include subtitles.
1= Article
This is the most frequent type of story: report information of contingent events. This is the classic news item: what has happened, who, how, when and where.
2= Feature/ Chronicle
This kind of news item tends to be similar in length to a reportage. To be coded in this category, the news items must describe individual experiences and testimonials by the author as a witness to one or more events, or use literary language that correspond to fiction (dialogues, hyperboles, setting descriptions, characterization of people, among others).
3= Reportage
A news item that is longer in length than an article. This type of news item includes reporting of facts, but may also include in-depth analysis. Occasionally it includes context information in text boxes or info graphs, which are considered part of the report.

V007 PLACEMENT
This refers to the news item placement within the newspaper
0= Front page,
1= Front of section
2= Inside pages

V008 PHOTOGRAPH
This refers to the presence/absence of photographs within the news item.
0= No
1= Yes

V009 IMAGE/TEXT
This refers to the predominance of images (photographs, graphs, info graphs, maps, etc.) versus text or vice versa in the news item (measured in terms of space). The coder should evaluate the quantitative relationship. When in doubt, the relationship should be coded as balanced.
1= Predominance of images
2= Balanced relationship between images and texts
3= Predominance of text
4= Just text

 

Part II. Story characteristics

V010 ITEMTOPIC
This corresponds to the main topic of the story.
You should read the news item from start to finish, paying special attention to the story’s central theme. The main theme tends to take up the most space, is frequently mentioned in the title and/or first paragraph, although this is not always the case. You should indicate the story’s main topic according to the following list of categories.

1= Government/Legislatures. This corresponds to information related to formal and institutionalized power, including the State’s activities: governments and their services (activities and/or declarations by the President, ministers, sub secretaries, dependent organisms, and public employees, among others). Includes international relations, State visits, diplomacy and international relations, Parliament (activities and reforms in Congress, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, activities and/or declarations from members of parliament, law processing, among others), and Judicial Power (institutional or employee activities and/or declarations). It is also includes aspect related to foreign affairs/diplomacy.
It is important to keep in mind that all news items that refer to specific and sectorial topics such as health, housing, education, etc., will be considered within this category when they are associated to public policies promoted by the government/State.
Examples:
“Senate voted in favor of death penalty."
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

2= Campaings/Elections/Politics. All stories primarily about elections for government posts at local, state and national levels, or stories focused primarily on the actions of political parties. Stories on elections/campaigns/politics, election/campaign abuses and scandals, politics and religion should be coded here.
Examples:
“Exit polls 2012: How the U.S. vote has shifted.”
“Liberal HQ warns against hubris as Labor wipeout is not assured.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

3= Police and crime: This involves crime incidents, white-collar crime/corruption, crime trends (such as statistical data on crimes or a national crime survey), crime deterrence, and trials regarding a specific crime event. Aspects associated with public safety and order, prisons and delinquency in general are considered part of this topic. It can also refer to stories of terrorist events, the causes and impact or the efforts by the police and/or other agencies to prevent terrorist acts within the country.
Examples:
“Police arrested five of the suspects in Rome.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

4= Court. Refers to the inner workings of the court system such as the appointment of judges, motions that are NOT solely about a specific crime, and other inner-workings. This code includes stories on court/legal system, federal Supreme Court system or, lower court system/internal (any court below the federal supreme court).
Examples:
“Supreme Court challenges gay marriage in Brazil.”
“Nebraska attorney general seeks to revoke license of only nurse at prominent abortion clinic.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD LOCAL SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

5= Defense/Military/national security. This refers to the information related to the country’s military policies (armed forces) and national defense, considering protective actions and exterior threats. Specifically, it refers to military or defense operations within the boundaries of the country such as domestic defense/military general/multi-issue/other, military operations/activities in the field within the country.
Examples:
“Minimal negative impact': Hamid Karzai's view of our Afghanistan role.”
“Defence weighs suitability of Triton US drone program for maritime.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

6= Economy and business. All non-legislative activities related to businesses, such as business and personal finance. Microeconomics (prices of goods and services, salaries, benefits and incomes, among others) and macroeconomics (total national production, sectorial production, employment and unemployment, balance of payments, inflation, etc.) are included within this topic.
Examples:
“Push on corporate tax rules goes global.”
“Tata Steel reports loss in its fourth quarter on Europe weakness.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

7= Education. Refers to ALL primary, secondary and post-secondary education, whether public or private. This includes extracurricular activities (debate, drama, service clubs, etc.) that are explicitly connected with schools. It also refers to information about processes and instruments of measuring, results, curriculum, as well as educative management and educative practices.
Examples:
“Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education gets Rajiv Gandhi Global Excellence Award.”
“Montgomery middle school students see their films on the big screen.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

8= Energy, environment and climate change. Refers to all ecological or human-environment topics. Aspects related to the care and conservation of the environment and their agents (i.e. plants, minerals and animals), the risks and problems that they face (global warming, pollution of all types, etc.) are considered in this topic. It also considers matters related to the impact of energy sources and their mechanisms of exploitation and distribution (renewable, non-renewable clean and polluting energies), as well as projects with an environmental impact and their mechanisms of evaluation and mitigation (from large shopping malls to energy production projects, for example).
Examples:
“Gujarat-based unit to work for environment conservation.”
“Kosovo brown bears Ari and Arina released into sanctuary after a decade held captive in a cage.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

9= Transportation. This item considers information related to mechanisms, devices, management, operation and impact of all means of transportation (air, sea, land; public and private).
Examples:
“Beltway drivers’ passing trick turns ramps into high-speed slalom.”
“MARC trains will begin running on weekends.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

10= Housing, infrastructure and public works. This refers to information on the current and future state of society’s material development in concrete terms (where and how they live; when and how they interconnect; what strategies and mechanisms of connectivity exist). For example, information about roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, airfields, ramps, irrigation reservoirs, river defenses, rain water collectors, rural potable water, new public buildings, existing patrimonial buildings, shoreline, among others, is included; their design, construction, operation and problems. News items referring to telecommunications, as well as housing, neighborhoods land integration, etc., are also considered in this item.
Examples:
“Airports in China Hew to an Unswerving Flight Path.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

11= Accidents and natural disasters. This refers to information on accidents provoked by man (air, sea, land or rail accidents, explosions, fires, etc.), as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, mudslides, river overflows, and storms, among others.
Examples:
“Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 strikes Japan in same region devastated by earthquake and tsunami in 2011.”
“Car chased by Prince George’s police hits school bus in D.C.”
“Man dies after police-involved shooting in Madrid.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

12= Health Refers to stories on health care system, public health, diseases/prevention. Health care system relates to stories that are focused on the integrity of the health care system generally, such as insurance, medical training, medical care in general, etc. It also deals with stories of pandemics, epidemics, etc. that focus on the impact of health conditions on groups of people.
Examples:
“Corporate clinics on notice for profit fix.”
“Shake-up looms for doctors in the bush.”
“Hospitals treat more than 200, including dozens of children, after tornado hits Oklahoma.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

13= Religion and churches. This refers to information related to the spiritual development of individuals and the general population, considering the activities of institutions that administer faith (churches, for example), as well as debates on society’s beliefs, values, morality.
Examples:
“Cardinals pick Bergoglio, who will be pope Francis.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

14= Human rights. This refers to information on freedoms and claims on elemental goods that include everybody, simply because they are human beings, guaranteeing a decent life. It refers to civil (for example life, safety, and the freedom of speech), political (voting and being elected) and social and cultural (housing and health) rights.
Examples:
“Life in the UAE: ‘We expect anything from the authorities - we are afraid of everything’. Two of the 94 people on trial in the UAE talk to Amnesty International about the state of freedom of expression in the country.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

15= Demonstrations and protests. This topic refers to situations, facts and actions that show conflict between two or more actors in society, for different reasons. It considers matters associated to demonstrations, marches, uprisings, protests, strikes, occupations, and other forms of demonstrating social disputes, independent of the matter at hand.
Examples:
“Chile student protest resume as 100,000-people march.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

16= Social problems. This item refers to matters of inequality, poverty, absolute poverty, development (or the lack of), among others.
Examples:
“Poverty is growing twice as fast in the suburbs as in cities.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS CAN ADD MORE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IF NEEDED]

17= Others. Stories that do not clearly fit in any of the previous categories.

V011 GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS.
This variable concerns the geographic area where the news item takes place. If there is a mix of geographic foci, code for the geographic area that is emphasized by the MAJORITY OF TIME OR SPACE (mostly in the lead, title, or first third of the story)

0= Local: story focuses on the metropolitan area within which the media outlet is published
1= Non-local/National: story focuses on either a region outside of the media source’s metropolitan area, or the nation as a whole.
2= Country -International: story takes place in a nation different to the country (LOCAL RESEARCHERS, add the name of your country), and it refers to the country in relation to some other national entity; such as a story about U.S. trade relations with Mexico or the diplomatic visit of government officials to another country, etc.
99= Don’t Know/Can’t Tell

 

Part III. Sources and reporting methods

SOURCES

In order for someone to be coded as a source, it is necessary that sentences, phrases, facts or quotes are attributed to them. Actors can also be sources if they are directly or indirectly quoted.
The number of sources present in the news item, the nature of the sources and the type of sources will be coded.

V012 NumberofSources
This refers to the total number of sources quoted in the story. It includes literal/direct quotes, as well as indirect quotes (paraphrases). If an organization is quoted, count it as one. If the same source is quoted two times, it is considered as one source. Write down the total number of sources in the assigned space.

V013 Document Sources
Are documents included as sources in the news item?
0=No
1=Yes

V014 Human Sources
Are human sources included in the news item?
0=No
1=Yes

V015 SourceType
This refers to the source’s institutional affiliation or subjective position within the news item. In general, journalists are asked to identify who they quote in their stories, according to their relevance and association with the topic/news item. You should code the absence or presence of each type of source.

V015a StateSource
This refers to personal that work administering the national, regional/provincial or municipal government. This category, therefore, contains a wide array of government employees, including bureaucrats, administrators, representatives, executives, etc., who participate in governmental activities.
0=No
1=Yes

V015b Political PartySource
This refers to members of a political party, with or without parliamentary representation.
0=No
1=Yes

V015c Business/CompanySource
Spokesperson/Representative from the commercial sector. This refers to actors from the commercial sector as well as trade groups. It includes associations from the corporate sector, companies (public or private) and specific businessmen, or their employees, who are individually consulted as sources of information, either because of their relevance and specific weight, or as a testimony.
0=No
1=Yes

V015d CivilsocietySource
It refers to members of an organized civil society, such as a NGO, union, church, or similar social organization, other than the State and business world.
0=No
1=Yes

V015e OrdinarypeopleSource
Citizen/vox populi. This includes people as individual sources of information, and not in representation of anyone, as in the previous categories. This category contains regular citizens. These sources are defined as those who are speaking for themselves.
0=No
1=Yes

V015f MediaSource
Spokesperson/representative/member of communication media. This means members that speak in representation of a communication media outlet, or journalists as individuals, other than the author of the news item.
0=No
1=Yes

V015g ExpertSource
This refers to informative sources that are consulted as specialists in a specific area, such as practitioners or researchers. It includes researchers from universities, applied research institutes, hospitals, or any other institution that is recognized for its output of knowledge. It also includes private research centers. It does not include researchers or experts from public services, or other technical organisms that generally provide specialists, and should be categorized in Executive Power.
0=No
1=Yes

V015h AnonymousSource
This referes to unidentified sources; sources whose identity is not mentioned and to sources who are explicitly refered to as anonymous
0=No
1=Yes

V015i OtherSource
0=No
1=Yes

V016 MAINSOURCE
This refers to the institutional affiliation or source-affiliation that the most quoted source has.
0= State source
1= Political party source
2= Bussinnes/Company source
3= Civic Society source
4= Ordinary people source
5= Media source
6= Expert source
7= other

REPORTING METHODS

In order to identify which methods of reporting have more presence on news, the coder must pay attention and give importance to how the facts are reported, and what strategies and professional rules are used to justify the truth of assertions about reality. In other words, we must focus on the use that the journalist makes of determined procedures and conventions to face reality.

V017 BALANCE: DIVERSITY OF SOURCES AND POINTS OF VIEW
To what extent does the news item present a balanced perspective, with diverse sources and points of view?
1= Absence of sources and/or points of view
The topic of the article does not include sources
2= Unilateral coverage
The article includes only one source, or only sources and perspectives from one side.
3= Presence of different sources and points of view with different weighing within the story.
The article includes different sources and points of view. However, there is a greater presence of some over others. Here, we are not saying that sources need to contradict each other. What we mean is that sources need to represent different positions within the story. Of course, these positions can overlap on some parts, but have to bring in different aspects to the main issue.
4= Presence of different sources and points of view and points of view with the same weighing within the story.
The article includes different sources and points of view with similar weighing within the story. Here, we are not saying that sources need to contradict each other. What we mean is that sources need to represent different positions within the story. Of course, these positions can overlap at some level, but have to bring in different aspects to the main issue.

V018 VERIFIABLE EVIDENCE/HARD DATA
Does the article include factual information and/or verifiable data? Verificable data corresponds to figures, but also refer to facts; in other words, information that can be verified by a third party, that does not correspond to either the author’s or the sources’ subjective thoughts, feelings or opinion.
0= Less factual and verifiable information than non-verifiable information
1= Balance between verifiable and non-verifiable information
2= More factual and verifiable information than non-verifiable information
3= Only factual or verifiable information

V019 CONDITIONALUSE
Within the news item, does the journalist use verbs in the conditional form? (i.e. It would be….)
0= No
1= Yes

V020 ARGUMENTATION
Does the journalist use reasoning or logic to prove or show a proposal, or to convince what (s)he affirms or denies (“since”, “due to”, etc, tend to be used). Argumentation challenges, refutes or reaffirms facts or events through discursive reasoning.
1= Arguments are not used
2= There is one argument
3= There are two arguments
4= There are more than two arguments

Examples:
“It has been often claimed that if the paper used by every student were collected and rendered into paper pulp that society could reuse, about 5 million trees would be saved each year. However, this kind of recycling could be unnecessary, since the country maintains enough forests to ensure an uninterrupted supply of paper.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

 

Part IV. Models of journalistic role performance

This section provides instructions for coding indicators associated with different models of journalistic role performance. Six models of role performance are measured by this study: watchdog, loyal, service, civic, infotainment and, disseminator – interventionism.
Next, each one of these models will be described in detail so that the coder will be able to understand the content that we are looking for. In each case, the presence or absence of different reporting styles and narrative schemes in the news item will be measured. When the coder completes the codesheet, (s)he should determine if specific attributes that characterize these models are present in the news item.
The coder should recognize that the different models of role performance are not mutually exclusive, and that a news item may present attributes/characteristics of different models at the same time, that is, different journalism models can overlap in practice.

V021 DISSEMINATOR – INTERVENTIONIST MODEL
The disseminator latitude of this model refers to a kind of journalism that gives importance to the distance between the journalist and the facts. Its interventionist counterpart is more journalist- centered, where the news professionals have a voice in the story, and sometimes act as advocates for different groups in society. These two ways of reporting conform to a unidimensional structure, whereby a greater level of participation by the journalist implies higher levels of interventionism, and vice versa.

V021a Taking sides
Within the news item, does the journalist/author give their opinion or judgment, stating what side (s)he is on, or what her/his position is?
Taking sides is not limited to political conflicts; rather it can include taking a side in another type of dispute or taking a specific side related to any event. Among the typical indicators of this position are warnings and negative/positive visions of any event, or what are the attributed consquences for individuals, organizations and/or society. They may also position themselves as advocates of defenders of a group with defined interests.

Examples:
“The Guantanamo Bay prison is a deeply un-American disgrace. It needs to be closed rapidly.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]
0= No
1= Yes

V021b Interpretation
Within the news item, does the journalist/author explain the causes, meaning and/or suggest possible consequences of certain facts/actions? Performing in an interpretative reporting style can be understood as something opposed to a descriptive, fact-based journalism. According to this, the journalist can explain, evaluate and/or give the public an understanding of the causes, meanings or possible consequences of certain facts. Nevertheless, interpretation is not the same as opinion. While the latter makes a reference to the author or authors’ explicit personal perspective, interpretation deals with the explanation of a fact, without necessarily giving a value judgment.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The announcement could have two effects: First, the government could rid itself of a historically complex negotiation, focusing it on the parliament. However, it could also tear apart the party strategy to close transition, which intended to negotiate a complete package directly with the Presidency, including reforms and human rights topics.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V021c Proposal/Demand
Does the journalist/author of the news item propose or demand changes as to how a determined action is being carried out by a group or individual?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
¨The inhabitants of the city waiting for someone to take responsibility for having built their houses in a landfill. It's time that someone responds.¨
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V021d Use of Adjectives
Does the journalist/author use adjectives within the text? (Adjetives from sources are not considered)
An adjective is a word which modifies and is close to either a noun or a pronoun. In most cases, adjectives are used to describe the degree of modification. The forms are valence, comparative or superlative (i.e., this policy reform is progressive (valence), this administration is more controlled than the previous one (comparative), or this president is the most efficient one with immigration reforms (superlative).
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
¨A heated discussion took place yesterday at the meeting of the Christian Democratic Representatives.¨
" … .dozens of people, for the most part women of humble aspect … ."
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V021e First Person
Does the journalist use first person within the news item (I, we, me, my, our)? The use of first person could include being a witness of a story, appropriating an action, or giving an opinion.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Many of us are understandably afraid of the way our food is produced, but exaggeration doesn’t make our case stronger.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022 WATCHDOG MODEL
Watchdog journalism seeks to hold the government, business, and other public institutions accountable, serving as a ‘fourth estate.’ Journalism performance closer to the watchdog model entails being a custodian of conscience, making visible hidden facts by those in power.
The models that prioritize the watchdog function suggest that journalism has a responsibility of protecting public interest, demanding and assuring for accountability of those in power (for example, cases of inefficiency, bad administration, corruption, fraud, the blocking of law projects, harassment and/or misinformation, among others).
The trait that defines the watchdog model is not the journalist or the media outlet’s political stance, but rather the function of questioning, criticising and even denouncing institutions and individuals that form part of the political or economic elite, or organized civil society (i.e. church), with the objective of maximizing government transparency and efficiency.
The political elite includes the minority that controls the country’s political life, all of those who have formal and institutional power through the different powers of the State, those in government, and those who control the political coalitions, alliances and parties, mainly having parliamentary representation.
The economic elite refers to the minority that controls the country’s destiny from the power that they have participating in the main economic activities and unions. Representatives from business guilds, as well as those from large companies, especially the country’s principal productive and service areas (retail, natural resources, mining, fishing and forestry, communication, among others).
Organized civil society includes NGOs, workers’ guilds, unions, churches, and other organizations different to the State or the business world.
Transnational organizations refer to political or economic organizations whose decisions and actions simultaneously affect or influence various countries.

V022a Information on judgments
Does the news story include Information on judicial or administrative processes against individuals or groups of power?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The Supreme Court confirmed the sentence for tax fraud and swindle against three civil servants of the Ministry of Health. The ruling affects… .”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022b Questioning: journalist’s evaluation
By means of statements and/or opinions, does the journalist question the validity or truthfulness of what those individuals or groups in power say or do?
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, Business/economic elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc.) ¹
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
“The Minister of Education has insisted that he did not profit from his involvement in the University of Phoenix… According to his statements, prior to taking office on March 11th, 2010, he divested his shareholdings in the three commercial partnerships which linked him to the private university. However, it is suspicious, to say the least, that up till today, he has not rendered account of his involvement in the aforementioned societies.”
“Berlusconi insists he is innocent. However, since the beginning of the trial, testimonies against him have nothing but piled up.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

1. Transnational organizations are understood as those organizations that are made up of various countries. For example, we can mention the UN, the OAS, the World Bank, Inter-American Bank of Development, NATO, among others.

V022c Questioning: other
Does the news item include questioning of individuals or groups of power through quotes, statements and/or opinions given by someone other than the journalist?
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, economic/business elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc)
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
“(these) members of parliament agree that the police should make the number of complaints about the institution transparent, in regards to both wiretapping members of the government as well as in terms of procedural errors or abuse of power. They pointed out that all questioning affecting the institution should be resolved swiftly.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022d Criticism: Journalist’s evaluation
Does the news item include any assertion or reference from the journalist, in which (s)he judges, or condemns what the individuals or groups in power say or do? Generally, the criticism contains an adverb or an adjective.
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, economic/business elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc)
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
“The shameful behavior of the Church in regards to the cases of pedophilia has affected the credibility of the Christian faith among people.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022e Criticism: other
Does the news item include criticism of individuals or groups of power in the form of quotes, statements and/or negative opinions given by someone other than the journalist?
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, economic/business elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc)
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
…Andrea Tantaros commented, “It’s the Chicago way. [Obama] said he would change D.C. and the way they do business. Boy, has he ever.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022f Denouncement: Journalist’s evaluation
Does the news item include an assertion or reference from the journalist, in which he/she accuses or makes evident something hidden, not only illegal, but also irregular or inconvenient concerning individuals or groups of power, for example, cases of poor administration, corruption, fraud, harassment, political blockade to legal initiatives, misinformation, or political scandals, among others?
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, economic/business elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc)
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
“An investigation carried out by this newspaper revealed the mismanagement of public funds in school subsidies… .”
“Some local governments have debts that add up to 500 millions owed to the National Public Health Procurement Center for medicines and medical supplies.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022g Denouncement: other
Does the news item include quotes and/or testimonies from people other than the journalist, that account for, accuse or make evident something hidden, not only illegal, but also irregular or inconvenient, concerning individuals or groups of power, for example, cases of poor administration, corruption, fraud, harassment, political blockade to legal initiatives, misinformation, or political scandals, among others?
0= No
1= Yes, Government/State
2= Yes, political parties
3= Yes, economic/business elite
4= Yes, civil society (church, unions, etc.)
5= Yes, transnational organizations (OAS, UN, etc)
6= Yes, more than one (Which?)

Examples:
“The list of Berlusconi's convictions is long: bribing officials, tax fraud, illegal financing of political parties. But the divorced Italian leader has managed again and again to dodge the justice system's axe.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022h External investigation
Does the news item includes investigations that were not carried out by the journalist - such as judicial, administrative, specialized/academic research, among others - but that he/she covers extensively?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“A Human Rights Watch investigation determined the systematic violation of human rights against the indigenous peoples of Bolivia.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022i Conflict
Does the news item show proof of conflict or confrontation between the journalist and one or more of those in power? Does the journalist directly invoke the source, an institution or an individual from a sphere of power as an opponent? (physical confrontation, threats or harassment, veto, etc.)
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The president’s office denies the access of this media organization to official press conferences, due to upset concerning the interview published last Friday.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V022j Investigative reporting
Does the journalist inform on abuse of power or wrondoing rights, etc., based on extensive inquiry and research (i.e. independent review of legal documents, public records, or direct observation), beyond reliance on leaks and secondary sources of information?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“A month after the break of one of the biggest financial scandals in the country, we (the newspaper) provide a map to navigate a detailed time sequence where the successive flow of names, partnerships, the purchase and sale of shares, relationships and apparent coincidences give shape to this gigantic fraud.”
“We discovered a network of companies with accounts in Panama, Costa Rica, the United States and Bahamas, with more than $8.8 million dollars in commissions coming from Finland, which intended to favor them in the tender process.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023 LOYAL- FACILITATOR MODEL
This type of journalism can materialize in two facets. In its first variant, the journalists cooperate with those in power, and accept the information they provided as credible. In that line, they support the political agenda set by the government, show loyalty to power, support and defend the government’s policies, give a positive image of the established authority and those currently in power, and often they become public relations channels for the transmission of government messages to the public.
In its second variantion, this type of journalism moves the focus from the de facto power to the nation-state unit, portraying a positive image of the one´s country, encouraging the sense of belonging, and strengthening national prestige.

V023a Defense/support activities
Does the journalist praise, promote or defend specific official activities or measurements of improvement carried out by the political or economic powers?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“A noteworthy initiative, where the municipality will implement a toll free hotline to answer questions from the residents.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023b Defense/support policies
Does the journalist praise, promote or defend national or regional policies in general, or any one in particular?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Michelle Bachelet’s administration will be remembered for having boosted the most relevant pension reform in the history of the private savings pension system.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023c Positive image of the political elite
Does the journalist present a positive image of the political elite? For example, does the journalist favorably stresses and highlights leadership or management skills, as well as personal characteristics of political leaders? This type of support tends to use positive adjectives when referring to these actors.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“In the official visit around Europe, the president ennobled national politics.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023d Positive image of economic elite
Does the journalist give a positive image of the economic leaders? For example, does the journalist favorably stresses and highlights leadership or management skills, as well as personal characteristics of economic leaders? This type of support tends to include positive adjectives in order to refer to these actors.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The president of ABE’s good managing and lobbying capabilities helped diminish the upset of the business sector.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023e Progress/success
Does the journalist emphasize that his/her own country is progressing and doing better than before in any relevant dimension? In order for this characteristic to be present, the news item should not only be based on a specific or isolated situation, it should consider a relatively prolonged period of time, and/or emphasize the topic as a process, where changes and progress are predicted.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Poverty has decreased regularly since 1990 until this date: nowadays, there are less poor people than ever before in the history of Poland.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023f Comparison to the rest of the world
Does the journalist emphasize the country’s advances and triumphs in comparison to other countries in the world?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The national political class has shown proof of its managing capabilities in comparison to their peers from the region.”
“The economic elite has shown proof of integrity in comparison to other European countries.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023g Nationals’ triumphs
Are individuals or groups who have triumphed in the country or abroad explicitly highlighted within the news item?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“… Wimbledon champion and Swiss tennis star Roger Federer was presented with a prize cow on Tuesday as part of a homecoming celebration at the Swiss Open in Gstaad.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023h Promotion of the country’s image
Does the news item refer to activities organized with the objective of promoting the country’s image?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“3D images will promote Hungary in the TVs and stores of more than 50 countries.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V023i Patriotism
Does the news item include statements made by the journalist that positively value being from a specific nation?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Hospitability towards immigrants is a well known feature of Australians.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V024 SERVICE JOURNALISM MODEL
This model combines the rights and self-interests of the audience, creating a client-professional relationship between the journalist and the public. As an answer to the growing complexity of modernity, this model of role performance provides information, knowledge and advice about goods and services that audiences can apply in their day to day lives.
The journalisms that prioritize this model provide help, tips, guidance and information about the management of day-to-day life and individual problems (news you can use).

V024a Impact on everyday life
Does the news item focus on the consequences or meaning that certain facts or events have for people’s everyday personal life?
0= No
1= Yes
For example, a news story on climate change where the journalist stresses that society will have to change the way it produces energy (social relevance) would not fall into this category, while a news story on the same topic which emphasizes that people have to pay more for electricity every month would. Stories in which the journalist denounces examples of bad service or deception by ordinary individuals, which are damaging to or harming people’s lives, also tend to be part of this focus.

Examples:
¨How does the European economic crisis impact the work of farmers?¨
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V024b Tips and advice (grievances)
Does the news item give tips or practical advice to manage everyday problems that audiences have with others or their environment? For example how to face noisy neighbors, how to handle wrongful charges, etc. The stories that have these characteristics tend to include an expert opinion, different from the journalist’s, which tries to help solve the problem.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Disturbing noises is what is most common, and although it is hard to prevent, there are several ways to deal with an unwanted neighbor. In order to not come across any surprises, it is advisable to investigate what the neighbors and the neighborhood is like prior to buying a property.”
“Keys to detect abuses in the charges made by commercial companies.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V024c Tips and advice (individual risks)
Does the news item provide tips or practical advice to solve personal problems that the audience could potentially face every day? For example, how to exercise and eat well in order to stay healthy, how to be a smart buyer and save money, how to invest and assure savings and a safe retirement, etc.
The stories that have these characteristics tend to include an expert opinion, different from the journalist’‘s, which tries to help solve personal aspects or problems in their everyday life.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Be smart and start excercising today.”
“Historic day at the Stock Exchange: the experts advise how to win.”
“In order to begin your vacations stress-free, bear in mind that you vehicle inspection must be up to date, your spare tire in good condition, and you should have toolkit and a first-aid kit.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V024d Consumer advice
Does the news item inform the reader about the latest trends in products and services in the market, or helps them distinguish between products of different qualities?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“New Drug May Help Some Asthmatics, Study Finds.”
“After one year in the market, coffee capsules have become popular among consumers. Around $400 pesos are paid for each cup of coffee made at home.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025 INFOTAINMENT JOURNALISM MODEL
The infotainment model of journalism - also called tabloid journalism uses different stylistics, narrative and/or visual discourses in order to entertain and thrill the public. This type of journalism addresses the public as spectator, where the audience’s relaxation and emotional experiences become the center of attention.

V025a Personalization
Does the news item centers on one or more persons and their different intellectual, physical, mental or social characteristics (i.e. competence, leadership, appearance, capacity) or personal background (where they worked, studied, their name, marital status, etc.). Simply naming a person is not enough to be included in this category.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The murderer – better known as MJ – is 34 years old, a married industrial engineer who works in the northern region of the country. The day of the trial, he arrived dejected, in dirty clothes and did not want to comment.”
“Mr. Garcetti now becomes the first Jewish mayor of the city. He is the son of gil garcetti, A former district attorney. The grandson of Mexican immigrants who trace their roots to Italy, Mr. Garcetti speaks Spanish and used it frequently during the campaign.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025b Private life
Does the news item focus on the private life of one or more individuals?
Private life includes those aspects of a person’s life that does not correspond to areas of public and/or collective interest, and that people normally prefer to maintain in their personal sphere. Examples include a story on the president of the country as a father, or a famous businessman’s youth and past. Other examples could be related to hobbies, affairs and love life, past or vacations, among others.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The minister states that his wife has tried to improve her wardrobe choices in order to meet the protocol requirements.”
“The senator has been separated from her husband for months now”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025c Sensationalism
Does the news item include the use of style elements or descriptions in the story (exaggeration, emphasis of the incredible, the use of dramatic superlative adjectives and metaphors) that highlight the unusual, spectacular or unexpected? (Quotes from sources are not considered)
When a news item gives information about and incredible happening, it is considered sensationalist only when the “sensation” is given greater importance, through the language used. Among the language tools used to present this type of information are: exaggeration, emphasis of the incredible, the use of dramatic superlative adjectives and metaphors.
The difference with a simple description is illustrated in the following examples: “the barbarian crime” should be coded as sensationalist, while “A colorful ceremony” or “the distinguished president”, should not.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The ‘hard’ stance of the porn movie industry on the use of condoms. They threatened to dump California if actors are forced to wrap it up.”
“Richard Brown entitled ‘Superman’ of the patients. The Mayor began a campaign to lower the prices of medicines for complex diseases.”
“OUCH!: Olympic star dumps wife who gave up her medal dream to raise kids... and dates her replacement in sail team.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025d Scandal
Does the news item focus on an event or incident framed as a scandal?
We understand this characteristic as an illegitimate or immoral event, but that does not have to do with actions associated to a public role, although in general the protagonist is a well-known individual. In that context, scandal is present when journalists focus on events such as an extra material affair, divergent sexual behavior, domestic violence and poor conduct in public areas, among others. If a news item refers to a political scandal (e.g. the Watergate case), it should not be considered to be a scandal in the context of infotainment journalism. But, if the news item mentions a politician’s sex scandal (e.g. Berlusconi’s love affairs), then it should.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Conressman got cheeky: called to testify on charges of “lewd and indecent acts” in an SUV”.
“Police report filed against prosecutor, for domestic violence”
“Son of senator Smith is arrested for possession of marijuana.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025e Emotions1
Does the news item make explicit references to feelings or emotions? Elements typically included within this category are general descriptions of different emotions and the author’s own emotional state, such as being anxious, angry, sad, confident, embarrassed, happy, disgusted, scared, and euphoric, among others.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Yesterday, this former coal worker was coming back home happy, eager to hug his family and to begin a new stage of his life.”
“Woman whose child was stolen suffered 22 hours of deep anguish, pain and uncertainty.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025f Emotions2
Does the news item include images that show strong feelings or emotions from the actors in the story? (Only for stories that have images). Here, photography serves as a portrait of an emotion experienced by one or more individuals in the story, more than as a general illustration of the problem or description of the event.
Typical images in this category include: somebody crying, yelling, expressions of anger or desperation, roaring with laughter, among others. A simple smile is not enough to be classified as “yes”. (SEE VISUAL EXAMPLES IN APPENDIX)
0= No
1= Yes
99= Does not apply

V025g Morbid1
Does the news item exacerbate the reader’s attention through the text, describing acts of violence, crime or sex scences/scandle in the news, or of the protagonists in concrete detail?
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Deranged, he got her off the car at a deserted path, where he began to beat and ultimately strangle her, choking her with his bare hands, using all of his strength until he finally killed her.”
“…He took her to an uncultivated lot alongside A-60 road, where he first tied her to then beat her and attack her with a knife. In the struggle, the man stabbed Karina’s neck, back and chest, and her arm showed defensive wounds.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V025h Morbid2
Does the news item exacerbate the reader’s attention through explicit, images of crime, violence, or sex scences/scandle in the story, or of its protagonists? For example, pictures of cadavers or deceased or dying people, nude women or men, etc. (Only for news ítems that include images). (SEE VISUAL EXAMPLES IN APPENDIX)
0= No
1= Yes
99= Does not apply

V026 CIVIC ORIENTED MODEL
In turn, in several cases, the dominating perspective in the news item is the presentation of groups without social empowerment that demand recognition or replacement of a right. Other characteristics of this model of journalism include developing the audience’s cultural and intellectual interest.
This model does not assume that it is the journalists who can create an improved community via their own resources; rather the emphasis is on supporting the citizens’ effort to do so. In this sense, the journalistic work closest to this role allows people to do their jobs as citizens.
The civic model of journalism incorporates some aspects of social responsibility theory, focusing on the connection/between journalism, the citizenry and public life Journalistic performance that takes these ideas is concerned with encouraging the public to get involved in public debate, and to participate in social, political and cultural life. In this sense, the space given to sources and actors not always considered by the media is an important aspect for this model.
This model also resonates with one of the several definitions of development journalism, where journalism can raises awareness on profound problems, helping to inform government agents about social needs.

V026a Citizen perspective
Does the news item include the vision/reaction of regular or organized citizens on a topic/incident or event, showing how they perceive or are affected by different political decisions? Citizens may be included via direct or indirect quotes, or references made of them.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“David Swanson, a Charlottesville native who was one of the organizers, said a group numbering in the hundreds had gathered on open walkways that face the building’s atrium on the third, fifth and seventh floors. He said they chanted “How do you fix the deficit? End the wars! Tax the rich!”
“The president of the Students federation, Camila Vallejo, said that Minister Joaquin Lavin’s proposals (regarding the education crisis and the university model) will be analyzed by the students… ‘There are points which fail, not all is in there, but there is an answer, which was what we were expecting’ … .”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026b Citizen demand
Does the news item include regular or organized citizens’ demands or proposals on how different political measures/decisions should be handled? Citizens may be included via direct or indirect quotes, or references made of them.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The resident’s association demanded that the mayor provide a solution to the problem of waste waters that overflow with every storm, flooding their houses.”
“The neighbors ask for public works in exchange for having the jail put close to their houses. They want work such as paving and installment of sewage systems to be done”.
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026c Credibility to citizens/citizenship
Is the news item in favor of what the citizens perceive, denounce or demand? (Complete this item with yes or no only if both or one of the two previous items were coded yes. If not, please mark 99)
0= No
1= Yes
99= Does not apply

Examples:
“The spokesman for the residents has led the activities of the people who now demand to take part in the municipality’s master plan, for many years. That is why he knows what he is talking about. The residents know that the current state of the area can cause a lot of damage to the environment and they have been consistent in the arguments they have presented to local authorities.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026d Local impact
Does the news item mention the impact of certain political decisions on local communities?? Local communities may include towns, provinces, villages, among others.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“A group of neighbors from Santa Barbara filed an injunction to restrain the municipality from setting up a dumping site near a pond in the vicinity”.
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026e Educating on duties and rights
Does the news item instruct people on their duties and rights as citizens (economic, social and/or political)? For example, when the government gives a subsidy and the news item inform where to go, or how to justify voter absenteeism.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“If you are more than 500 km away from your polling station, you must go to the nearest police station to report it to prevent being fined”.
“If you are a woman, head of your household and your income is in the $1,000 – $2,500 range, you must fill out your social report at the municipality in order to get the housing subsidy.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026f Background information
Does the news item provide the citizen with background information in order to make political decisions? Citizen political decisions include participation in electoral processes, protests or in citizen groups, as well as participation, affiliation and support of political parties.
Background information can be distinguished from current facts, primarily on a temporal basis. Background information includes explaining politician’s positions or decisions (how they have voted, how they have previously behaved), the reasons behind demonstrations or protests, or the objectives of citizen groups, among others.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“Initially, only the 24 Peronist pact senators were expected to vote in favor of the initiative, plus two former Supreme Court ministers. However, yesterday, two more senators who have traditionally had a tougher stance in favor of the death penalty joined the initiative.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026g Citizen questions
Does the news item include inquiries from common people for politicians or those who are in power? Citizens may be included via direct or indirect quotes, or references made of them.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The president of the Almind Resident’s Association confronted the mayor about the dumping site over which their houses were built: “what solution can you give us?”, he asked.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026h Information on citizen activities
Within the news item, does the journalist give information about citizen acts such as campaigns, collective actions, protests, commemorations, demonstrations and protests? Normally, this type of story includes information on where and when these activities occur or occurred, and can also explain the importance and relevance of these acts for the community.
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“The resident’s association of the locality of Tolus organized a symbolic act for August 20th at 11 am, in which trees will be planted all along the route in which the new metro line will pass.”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]

V026i Support of citizen movements
Within the news item, does the journalist support the objectives of an organization or citizen movement, and/or position the organization as a positive example to follow? (Code for manifest variables that indicate supportive position)
0= No
1= Yes

Examples:
“ABColombia is a network of grassroot, professional, and very diverse and representative social organizations that has developed a sustained work in the defense of peace. The social platform behind the movement is large and it represents different sensitivities, ensuring diversity.”
“The resident’s associations showed the ability to reunite and represent the legitimate demands of the residents of the area, to which the municipality was forced to listen and accept them”
[LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD ADD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR COUNTRIES]