Populist attitudes and perceptions of public opinion and the media: A comparative correlational study between Spain and Colombia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4185/RLCS-2021-1507

Keywords:

Populism; perceptions; social networks; public opinion; journalism; media.

Abstract

Introduction: Populism has experienced a worrying growth in the last decade in different parts of the world. This process, of a globalizing nature, has been enhanced by the characteristics of immediacy, interaction, and participation of social networks, cyber media, and other digital platforms. In this context, the perception that young people give to this type of phenomena constitutes a field of study of great interest for the Social Sciences. This research examines the correlations between populist attitudes, perception of public opinion, and opinions about the media in Communication students in Colombia and Spain. Methods: Using an exploratory-correlational approach and a quantitative design based on an adaptation of the Schultz, Wirth, and Müller (2020) instrument, this research has analyzed the reflections and priorities of a group of n=499 undergraduate and graduate students of Communication Sciences in Colombia and Spain. Conclusions: The study has corroborated the leading role of social networks in forming radical opinions while detecting a decline in the influence of television among young audiences. Also, the study establishes that the index of public opinion perception is higher in Spain, while that of media perception and anti-elitist attitudes are higher in Colombia. It is concluded that media literacy is a crucial strategy against the growth and expansion of populism.

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Author Biographies

Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Professor at the Department of Communication Sciences and Sociology at the Rey Juan Carlos University (Madrid, Spain). Doctor in Communication from the universities of Huelva, Seville, Malaga, and Cadiz (Spain). Extraordinary Doctorate Award from the University of Huelva. Vice-president of the Spain chapter of the Euro-American Interuniversity Research Network on Media Competencies for Citizens (Alfamed) and member of the Ágora research group (PAI-HUM-648) of the University of Huelva. Associate editor of Revista Comunicar and Revista Anàlisi.

Santiago Tejedor, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona

Director of the Department of Journalism and Communication Sciences of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain). Doctor in Journalism and Communication Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, with a qualification of Outstanding Cum Laude, and Doctor in Project Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). Coordinator of the Communication and Education Office of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Deputy Director of the International Master in Communication and Education at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Co-Director of the Master in Travel Journalism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Editor of Revista Anàlisi.

María Victoria Pabón Montealegre, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

Director of the Faculty of Social Communication-Journalism of the Pontifical Bolivarian University (Colombia). President of the Colombian Association of Faculties and University Programs in Communication (AFACOM). Master in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra (Spain), Specialist in Organizational Communication Management from the Pontifical Bolivarian University (Colombia), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Communication from the Andrés Bello Catholic University (Venezuela). Member of the Research Group on Communication Management at the Pontifical Bolivarian University (Colombia).

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Published

2021-07-01

How to Cite

Romero-Rodríguez, Luis M., Santiago Tejedor, and María Victoria Pabón Montealegre. 2021. “Populist attitudes and perceptions of public opinion and the media: A comparative correlational study between Spain and Colombia ”. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, no. 79 (July):43-66. https://doi.org/10.4185/RLCS-2021-1507.

Issue

Section

Fake news and hoaxes: validating communication as a social urgency

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