Análisis Documental del Diario La Opinión de Cúcuta, digital, sobre el conflicto Armado en el Catatumbo, caso ocho Noticias durante el periodo del mes de Febrero a Octubre del 2023

Abstract

This study focused on the analysis of the news published by Diario La Opinión on the armed conflict in the Catatumbo – Tibú región in 2023. The main objective was to evaluate the quality, objectivity, and veracity of the news, identifying the editorial practices, the use of sources, the images, and the linguistic aspects that influence the public perception of the conflict. Eight news items related to the armed conflict were selected, which were analyzed from different perspectives: The meanings (denotation) and meanings (connotation) of the headlines were studied. The way news is presented, the use of sources and grammatical practices were observed. The photos and graphics that accompanied the news were analyzed to determine their consistency with the news content. The study was based on the semiotic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure and Roland Barthes, which allow us to understand how the media use signs (words, images) to construct meanings and emotions. The research showed that, through language and images, the media not only inform, but also influence how readers interpret facts. He provides how the armed conflict in Catatumbo is covered in Diario La Opinión. Although the medium is an important source of information, key areas were identified where there is room for improvement, such as objectivity, accuracy, appropriate use of images, and transparency in sources. As journalists face challenges stemming from violence in the región, it is critical that they continue to develop journalistic policies and practices that promote trust, safety, and truthfulness in their reporting. Most headlines use sensationalist language to capture the reader's attention, using terms such as "violence", "terror", "conflict", which, although real, generate an emotional charge that could distort the objectivity of the message. Errors were found in the wording, such as excessive repetition of terms and lack of capitalization at the beginning of headlines. These errors affect the clarity and credibility of the news. In several news stories, the author or source of the information 4 is not specified, which reduces the transparency and reliability of the content. In some cases, anonymous sources are mentioned for security reasons, but it is necessary to include more verifiable sources (e.g. public officials or experts). The use of emotionally charged words has a significant impact on readers. Through semiotic analysis, it is concluded that news not only informs, but also seeks to provoke emotional reactions (sadness, anger, fear) through the use of specific terms. Some images do not correspond to the content of the news, which can create confusion. In addition, in several news items an excess of images was observed (more than eight in some cases), which overloads the visual presentation and can divert the reader's attention. News about the armed conflict in Catatumbo faces limitations due to the lack of access to reliable information and the need to protect the identity of those interviewed for security reasons. This makes it difficult to provide more comprehensive and objective coverage.