Breaking the culture of silence: An analysis of traditional media versus alternative media coverage of a social tragedy in Guatemala

Abstract

The media are core to the successful functioning of democracy. They are responsible for scrutinizing state institutions. The media, thus, must remain independent of political control and power elites seeking to shape public consciousness. Nonetheless, historical precedents of political censorship and the high concentration of media ownership in Latin America have prevented the media from exercising its accountability duties. Information and communication technology (ICT) has recently enabled alternative media outlets to increase their reach in recent years. In contrast to traditional media, alternative media seek to challenge the status quo and engage in causes of social or political change. By analyzing traditional and alternative media coverage of a social tragedy in Guatemala, this study contributes to the ICT for development literature by showing how alternative media can leverage ICT to create accountability through frame diversification. The concept of frame diversification advanced in this study recognizes the possibilities enabled by ICT for disseminating views that break from the “culture of silence” that has historically permeated the media in Latin American countries like Guatemala.