Os 20 dias de Lázaro : fait divers e sensacionalismo no programa Câmera Record.

Abstract

This study investigates the use of sensationalism in the media, focusing on the journalistic coverage of Lázaro’s case. Based on the concept of fait divers in sensationalist discourse, as proposed by Barthes (1957), the research analyzes how this type of narrative moves away from journalistic impartiality, prioritizing the creation of dramatic and fantastical elements over the informative function. In this context, the journalist abandons their role as a mediator of truth, adopting a stance as a representative of popular emotions, saying what the public wants to hear without considering the ethical and professional consequences of their actions. According to Angrimani (1995), this type of journalism leads the audience to adopt a passive and voyeuristic position, being exposed to content that explores the extraordinary and shocking. The central objective of this analysis is to understand how sensationalism affects public perception and contributes to a distorted view of reality, creating myths that hinder the understanding of the facts, and, mainly, the tools used by the media bodies for these manipulations.