Stereotypes and biases in the treatment of female and male candidates on television shows in the 2017 legislative elections in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The article is included in the framework of empirical research on news coverage in the electoral campaign, with the novelty of examining gender stereotypes and biases in information and political infotainment shows in the legislative elections in Argentina in 2017. Methodology: Content analysis is carried out of the most popular information and politainment shows. The sample is made up of 132 broadcasts. Results: It is observed how the presence of male candidates tripled the presence of female candidates in all the examined shows, besides receiving a greater number of mentions. In the case of women, the comments and questions made to them correspond mostly to soft news, while men are related to hard news. Conclusions: Male candidates receive more mentions and invitations in newscasts and talk shows and dominate the hard news. In female candidates, gender stereotypes related to their physical appearance or domestic role are still present.