The Odebrecht scandal is a topic that has dominated news headlines in recent years.
Journalistic Genres for Covering the Odebrecht Case
To understand in depth how this case of large-scale corporate corruption and its journalistic coverage unraveled, we will explore its treatment in different journalistic genres, from the dry note, through investigative reporting, to the personified opinions.
Dry note
The first example of how this topic was addressed is through a dry note published by EFE in 2016. This type of journalistic genre is about what are simply pure facts. In this case, the headline is clear and direct: "Odebrecht gave $788 million in bribes to 12 countries in Latin America and Africa." There is no interpretation whatsoever by the journalists, simply an account based on the facts.
Follow up
In the case of Semana, a Colombian magazine, the follow-up can be seen from a series of detailed questions and answers about the scandal, focusing especially on those involved in Colombia.
Infographics
Infographics convey information in a graphically striking and concise way. In this case, Colombian media Elcolombiano.com used a multimedia infographic to show the connections between the projects and people involved in the Odebrecht scandal.
Interview
An interview conducted by the Spanish media outlet El Pa铆s provides an in-depth view of the scandal through the point of view of an Odebrecht lawyer. This journalistic genre allows for first-hand information to be obtained directly from those involved.
Opinion articles
Opinion articles, such as this one published by the New York Times, provide an in-depth and personalized analysis of the event. Unlike the factual presentation in the dry note, the opinion article is marked by the author's individual interpretation and view of the matter.
Reporting
Investigative reporting, such as the one done by Armando.info, provides a broader perspective of the case, with evidence and interpretations based on facts and data. This journalistic genre is often longer and more detailed, and may bring to light new evidence or connections that were not highlighted in other genres.
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