A double pattern of representation in the Portuguese press - not all work accidents are equal

This paper examines how work accidents are presented in the Portuguese press, and how the contents and formats of those presentations are related to the perceived seriousness of the accidents as a social problem. Our study is guided by a framework that incorporates contributions from Social Representation theory and from rhetorical and dialogical approaches (Moscovici, 1988; Billig, 199 1; Markova, 2002; Auge, 200 1). We collected 874 articles about work accidents, from February 2004 to February 2005, in two Portuguese daily newspapers, a reference paper and a tabloid-type one. Results show how the press, when police accidents are concerned, focuses on insecurity issues and dangers inherent to the profession and opens a space for social concern, which amplifies that same concern and fosters the debate, and perhaps social change. On the other hand, description of accidents with workers implies that there is no real problem, which is an obstacle to debate and change.