Right to information and participation in children’s digital journalism: A comparative study between Portugal and Brazil
Background: Approximately 28 million Portuguese-speaking children aged 5–14 live in Portugal and Brazil. Their rights to information and participation are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 25 on children’s rights in the digital environment.
Aim: The Luso-Brazilian scope of this study enables a comparison of whether both countries fulfil children’s rights to information and participation through digital journalism for children.
Method/approach: The sample comprised seven children’s journalism outlets and formats, analysed over a six-month period: in Portugal, one public service television program and one print publication; and in Brazil, one public service podcast, one radio program, and three print publications. From each outlet, 10 units of analysis were selected, resulting in a total sample of 70 units, which included only journalistic genres with a news focus (news stories, interviews, feature reports, and explanatory journalism). Entertainment content was excluded from the analysis.
Results/findings: Portugal has fewer journalistic outlets specifically designed for children than Brazil. However, it provides stronger public service provision through a television news program broadcast three times a week and subsequently made available on a digital platform. In contrast, Brazil does not provide a consistent public service offering, as the podcast is produced irregularly. Private initiatives are more prominent in Brazil, particularly through print publications, although access to their online content is often restricted.
Conclusion: Overall, children’s journalism in both countries is disseminated through different platforms. Both Portugal and Brazil support children’s rights to information and participation through children’s journalism, although access remains limited.
Implications for children and families: When you have access to reliable news that is appropriate for your age, you can better understand what is happening in the world and become a more informed participant in your community.
Implications for practitioners: You may create collaborative initiatives between media organisations in Portugal and Brazil, building on the shared linguistic and cultural ties that connect children in both countries.
Funding: CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) – Brazil.
Keywords: children’s journalism, participation, rights, Portugal, Brazil
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: