The Town of Asa Branca: Constructing Public Spaces in Brazil

Abstract:

This paper follows the construction of a televisual public space in Brazil since the 1950s until the present, with special attention to television fiction and soap operas, known as novelas in Brazil. The role of novela writers as mass mediators responsible for weaving together a growing public is investigated, with emphasis on their political projects and their responsibilities when writing for millions. Although aided by an industrial process, their task of reaching the public is one full of misunderstandings, which I contend is an intrinsic part of the environment of mass communication. The acceptance of these unavoidable misunderstandings by all involved in mass communication is crucial for the continuation of a communicative game, as we see in the case of Brazilian television.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/10714420590917361

Affiliations: 1: São Paulo State University