The Audiovisual Representation of Immigration from the Perspective of Digital Community Media in Spain: El Salto TV (2017–2024)

Abstract

This study aims to describe the audiovisual representation of immigration as portrayed by the digital community media outlet El Salto TV, and to assess whether it offers a distinctive perspective aligned with its journalistic principles, in contrast to the coverage typically provided by traditional and digital audiovisual media. A mixed-methods longitudinal research design was employed, combining a content analysis of the entire corpus of news pieces on the subject (n=103) published between 2017 and 2024 on both the outlet's website and its social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and X), with a semi-structured interview conducted with the head of the audiovisual section. The analysis focused on variables such as sources, audiovisual narrative, scope of coverage, thematic and visual framing, informational treatment, and language. The findings indicate that El Salto TV constructs a counter-narrative on immigration, characterized by granting immigrant communities a central and active role in the news discourse. Moreover, the outlet delivers coverage that reflects its community-based ethos, distinctly different from that of other audiovisual media, thereby contributing to the development of new narrative frameworks and fostering best practices in journalism.