De burger als buitenstaander? Inclusiviteit in nieuwsselectie en brongebruik tijdens de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van 2018 [Citizens as outsiders?]

Abstract

In this article the contribution of local and regional media to democratic participation is tested against the background of the recent professional and academic call for a more audience oriented type of reporting. Internationally there is a growing concern for the sustainability of quality reporting by local media. During the local election campaign of 2018 a content analysis in three municipalities shows that reporting is characterized by a lack of inclusiveness. A mismatch was found between the issues that the audience mentioned as relevant to the elections and the issues that local media reported. Furthermore, there was little inclusiveness in sources: elites sources outnumbered citizens and civil society sources in. Use of sources was highly dependent on issues at hand. A positive outcome was that citizens were equally often portrayed in an active role as in a passive role. The media seem to miss chances in enhancing social and political participation.