African Newspaper Editors and the New World Information Order

The theory of newsworthiness applied to Mexico's press. How the news factors influence foreign news coverage in a transitional country

“…These factors shape the image of foreign nations conveyed by the Mexican press. The findings correspond, with some qualifications, to the results of earlier studies conducted in Germany (Schulz, 1982;Staab, 1990;Ruhrmann et al, 2003).…”

“…Mexican journalists tend to especially emphasize news stories referring to controversial and conflicting opinions. This news factor shows robust relationships with all dependent variables, a finding which is in line with earlier research (Peterson, 1981;Schulz, 1982;Staab, 1990;Ruhrmann et al, 2003). The same applies to stories implying 'possible success/usefulness' and, with some qualifications, to stories referring to established topics in the news.…”

“…This is in accord with the assumption that journalists and media organizations in developing countries are in the process of adopting western values and routines (Ainslie, 1967;Katz and Wedell, 1977). However, other studies arrive at opposite conclusions (McFadden, 1953;Nasser, 1983;Roser and Brown, 1986).…”

“…Efforts to transfer the theory's assumptions to the news reception process have already been made (Sande, 1971;Donsbach, 1991;Eilders, 1997;Ruhrmann et al, 2003). However, research could focus more specifically on the problem of international image building and the role of public relations in this respect.…”

“…Eilders (1997) corroborated the relationship between news factors and editorial emphasis and, in addition, showed that news factors not only steer the perceptions of journalists, but also the audience's selection and perception of news. A multi-method study by Ruhrmann, Woelke, Maier, and Diehlmann (2003), comprising interviews with German television journalists, a content analysis of the main German television news programs from 1992 to 2001, and a survey of the news audience found that the news factors used by Staab (1990) and Eilders (1997) are important criteria of news selection. The study also shows that the criteria have changed over time, leading to a de-politization and increasing negativism of news (Ruhrmann et al, 2003: 232).…”