Depopulation is a demographic and territorial phenomenon, but also a media phenomenon. In fact, there is no doubt that the development of a media narrative has contributed significantly to its having a major social impact. The concern shown by the Spanish population in the CIS surveys is a good example of this, especially in certain regions of Spain. It also seems logical that the presence of the media is reflecting this social concern, and here the echo from different civil society and political organisations plays an important role. _x000D_
This research, largely based on the Geography of Communication, studies the different dimensions of depopulation through the Valencian regional press. There are two main objectives. Firstly, to define what these dimensions or predominant themes are, and the importance they have in terms of their media treatment. Secondly, to carry out a longitudinal analysis in order to define how the phenomenon of depopulation has evolved, both globally and in its different themes, from 1996 to the present day. _x000D_
The main sources for this research are journalistic pieces from two of the three main newspapers in the region of Valencia, Las Provincias and El Periódico Mediterráneo. From a methodological point of view, a compilation was carried out using the My News database, the only one that allowed us to go back as far as 1996. From this point, a double analysis was carried out. Firstly, quantitative, taking into account the frequency of journalistic pieces on the different themes (10 themes, from the environment to public policies, including mobility, tourism, services, housing, entrepreneurship, etc.) and periods (5 periods since 1996). Secondly, qualitative (using AntConc textual analysis software), which has allowed us to analyse the association of terms and, from there, to reconstruct the different narratives around each of the key themes. _x000D_

Pla, J., Esparcia, J.
University of Valencia – Spain

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ID Abstract: 875