The image of Piauí in the local media: an analysis of cultural identities constructed through the “caravan my new Piauí” and “TV Cidade Verde 25 anos caravan”

Abstract

In this paper we address the construction of piauienses cultural identities through "My New Piauí Caravan" and "Caravan 25 years of TV Cidade Verde," performed by TV Meio Norte "and" TV Cidade Verde " broadcasters', in Teresina city in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The caravans received this name because they are programs that travel all over Piauí for some time of the year and in every place and town recounted the history of the population. Our objective in this research is to analyze critically the identities constructions held by the two programs. The research problem revolves the following question: which piauienses identities are constructed in caravans of “My New Piauí and 25 years of TV Cidade Verde? As a theoretical contribution, we'll use the propositions of Cultural Studies to understand the interrelationships between the media and the construction of identities. The analysis technique used is categorical thematic content analysis (Bardin, 2011), and in-depth interviews with the creators of the two caravans. Given the analysis of the products it was clear that caravans are betting on two biases identity: on one hand, the legitimacy of development discourse and life changing in Piauí soil; the other, the attempt to create a common local culture by strengthening the symbols of the country culture. These two alternative identities are closely tied to the political discourse in group exercise and create mechanisms that reinforce the perpetuation of power and relations of dominance, historically predetermined.