Os Pingos nos Is: The Rhetorical Construction of Frontstage Journalism

Resumen

The rhetorical construction of journalism is inherently tied to socioeconomic and cultural context. This study examines the intersection of journalism and democracy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, focusing on the rhetorical strategies employed by 'Os Pingos nos Is' show on Jovem Pan Media Group. Specifically, it analyzes how the program utilized enthymeme-based arguments, prioritizing verisimilitude over veracity. A content analysis of opinions related to COVID-19 from November 2020 to March 2021 revealed argumentative structures aligning the program with audiences sympathetic to Jair Bolsonaro's government (2018-2022). The program validated government positions over to health authorities, employing "Frontstage Journalism" characterized by simplistic, biased reporting