Mapping news on children in the mainstream press

Research on the ways children are presented in the mainstream news media has recently become a focus of attention in Media Studies, stressing news approaches that oscillate between demonizing children and picturing them as a powerful symbol of victimization. Furthermore, children themselves do not make any statements: they are simply not heard. Similarly, there is an emphasis on episodic events, imbued with emotional or moral components. There is also a focus on risk situations, delinquency or parental advice on how to deal with new generations. This contrasts with little attention being paid to economic and social policies based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Based on these ambivalences, a longitudinal analysis of Portuguese newspapers (1970-2000) and a comparative analysis of European newspapers during a week in 2000, have been carried out in order to determine what and how they report children and related issues, and what frames have been changed or maintained. Consequently, the article explores the many facets of reporting and the implications for our public life, particularly with regards to children.