Framing Crisis and Migration: A Sentiment and Discourse Analysis of Venezuelan Migration in Brazilian Newspapers (Folha and Estadao, 2015–2023)

This thesis delves into how Brazil's prominent newspapers, Folha de S.Paulo and O Estado de S. Paulo, portrayed Venezuelan migration between 2015 and 2023. This period was marked by four different federal governments led by Dilma Rousseff, Michel Temer, Jair Bolsonaro, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Utilizing a collection of 180 articles, the study applies a mixed-methods approach, merging qualitative frame analysis with sentiment assessment. The goal is to examine how discussions around migration transformed over time and shifted with political climates. The analysis identifies leading frames such as humanitarian crisis, national sovereignty, public security, and regional diplomacy. It evaluates their prevalence, emotional tone, and how they've evolved. Particular focus is placed on how migration became a political issue during elections and in governance, and on whether the newspapers aligned with or diverged from the government's stance. The findings reveal a complex interaction between media representation and political orientation, indicating that coverage of Venezuelan migration does more than merely reflect trends; it also contributes to broader narratives of identity, nationhood, and institutional responsibility. This research sheds light on media's influence in molding public conversation about migration, especially during times of political upheaval and humanitarian crisis.