Media, Images of Justice, and Brazilian Reality Television

Authors

  • Vicente Riccio Fundação Getúlio Vargas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS12200784

Keywords:

media and law, judicialization, reality shows, TV

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to understand how legal narratives are presented in a very popular Brazilian reality show. Programa do Ratinho (Little Mouse´s TV Show) is characterized by a formula in which entertainment is mingled with social questions. It is possible to identify three kinds of discourses that are related with different perspectives of law in the Brazilian society, namely: the criminal law, the civil law and the welfare discourse. A reception study with two focus groups was performed with program viewers (poor or lower middle class) and legal professionals (judges, lawyers and prosecutors). Three samples for each discourse found in the show were gathered. Viewers’ perceptions based on personal experiences indicate that this kind of show and the general media works as a very efficient accountability tool helping to counterbalance a class-biased legality. Legal professionals stress critically the way in which the issues are presented, but recognize the limits of Brazilian legal system. In sum, is possible to say that despite different interpretations between program viewers and legal professionals, they are critical subjects who are able to make pragmatic analysis of the show’s contents that are related with serious problems in Brazilian society. Mídia, Imagens da Justiça e TV Realidade Brasileira O principal objectivo deste estudo é compreender de que maneira narrativas sobre a justiça são apresentadas em programa popular de televisão no Brasil. O Programa do Ratinho é caracterizado por uma fórmula em que o entretenimento está combinado com questões sociais. Três discursos sobre a justiça são identificados no programa: penal, civil e social. Um estudo de recepção baseado em dois grupos de foco foi realizado com espectadores do programa (pobres e classe média baixa) e operadores do direito (juízes, advogados e promotores). Três amostras dos discursos foram exibidas. A percepção dos telespectadores indica que o programa e a mídia em geral funcionam como um instrumento de accountability, de forma a contrabalançar uma legalidade enviesada pela classe social. Os profissionais criticam a maneira como as questões são tematizadas, mas também reconhecem os limites do sistema legal brasileiro. Em resumo, é possível afirmar que a despeito das distintas interpretações entre os grupos, eles são críticos que analisam pragmaticamente os conteúdos do programa, relacionados com graves problemas da sociedade brasileira.

Author Biography

Vicente Riccio, Fundação Getúlio Vargas

Possui graduação em Direito pela Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (1995), mestrado em Ciência Política (Ciência Política e Sociologia) pela Sociedade Brasileira de Instrução - SBI/IUPERJ (1997) e doutorado em Sociologia pela Sociedade Brasileira de Instrução - SBI/IUPERJ (2003). Atualmente é Professor Adjunto do Fundação Getúlio Vargas - RJ. Tem experiência na área de Sociologia, com ênfase em Sociologia do Direito. Principais temas de investigação: direito, mídia, senso comum, reality shows, legalidade e cotidiano e cultura jurídica.

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Published

2007-09-28

How to Cite

Riccio, V. (2007). Media, Images of Justice, and Brazilian Reality Television. Observatorio (OBS*), 1(2). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS12200784

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2007)

Section

Articles

License

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