Serviço Público de Média em Portugal e no Brasil

Problemas e desafios da pesquisa comparada

Abstract

The development of communication studies in terms of the internalization of scientific knowledge has motivated an increasing investment in comparative research. The academic cooperation between Portugal and Brazil is connected to this phenomenon, and many scientific works are already establishing parallelisms between both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. From an epistemological point of view, notwithstanding the use of the same language —Portuguese—, comparative studies involve a set of theoretical and methodological challenges, which imply an understanding of cultural contexts and social and political traditions. In the scope of research on the media public service in both countries, this paper aims at discussing the conceptual and empirical issues raised by the use of the comparative method. What does comparing mean? Why compare? What are the intercultural implications of comparative research? These are some of the questions this paper seeks to answer. From a methodological point of view, different designations and concepts (of public service media and public communication) are compared, and the cultural root of idiomatic differences that justify conceptual differences of substantial meaning is put into perspective. Considering the traditions of the two countries — Portu gal within a long-standing European tradition of intervention of the State in the broadcasting system; and Brazil within an American tradition, more liberal, where radio and television developed more on private than on State initiative—, the aim is to understand historically the origin and relevance of the public communication system. Through interviews with key actors of public enterprises of the two countries and documental analysis, we conclude that different stages of development and, at the same time, different priorities of action constitute a barrier to the definition of comparative categories, but also an opportunity for the construction of cultural and scientific equivalence.