O jornalismo alternativo brasileiro em plataformas digitais: entrelaçamentos editoriais, políticos e econômicos do Lado B do Rio

Abstract

In a series of inquiries, reflections and theoretical-methodological investigations involving journalism and its political factor, this thesis poses a question: how does an alternative Brazilian journalistic project, in the current scenario of digital platforms, manifest its counterpoints and its plurality in the face of a predominantly hegemonic system? With this question, the general objective of this study is to map the intertwining between selection criteria, strategies of presence on digital platforms and the economic viability of the alternative journalism, limiting the investigation to the Brazilian journalistic project Lado B do Rio. Within this proposal, there are some complementary objectives, which include the identification of journalistic selection criteria, the understanding of the political-economic organization of a project in this field and the strengthening of studies on alternative communication in Brazil and in the global South. The research begins with a theoretical review that includes several discussions, with contributions from authors such as JeanChristophe Plantin, Antonio Gramsci, Peter Berger, Thomas Luckmann, Roselí Fígaro, Patrick Charaudeau, among others. Together, the authors allow the problematization of journalism in its editorial, political and economic character, the effects of the performance of digital platforms in global society, the hegemonic formation of large technology companies and the media constructions of media outlets. From this incursion, it is possible to build a methodological process that outlines conceptual bases, unraveling concepts, dimensions and indicators that approach the empirical object of research through methods such as exploratory research, qualitative interviews and content analysis. Therefore, the project Lado B do Rio, synthesizing observations of Brazilian alternative journalism, is provoked in editorial, political, organizational and economic aspects, which seek to fulfill the objectives previously outlined. As a result, there is a clear definition of political perspectives in the development of content production, even though the conversion of this characteristic into a sustainable business model is fraught with internal and external challenges to the project.