Since 2020, the LatAm Journalism Review (LJR) team has developed a glossary of journalistic expressions in Spanish, Portuguese and English that every Latin American journalist should know (see the first, second, third, fourth and fifth volumes).
In this sixth volume we explain the meaning of words that journalists use regularly but that may be unknown to someone outside the journalistic environment. Some of them are fixer, stringer, nut graph, above the fold and pitch.
We also delve into terms such as prensa chicha, prensa rosa and nevera, which in the world of media means much more than an appliance.
Some of these terms or phrases have origins in the English language, while others are specific to a Latin American country.
What journalistic expression is used in your country? Send your suggestions in any language to latamjournalismreview@austin.utexas.edu, or send a message via Twitter or Facebook. We are waiting for you!
Newsstand in Peru. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
At a journalistic level, in Peru, prensa chicha refers to a type of sensationalist and popular journalism, characterized by a focus on controversial, scandalous or morbid issues and aimed at people of lower socio-economic status.
The prensa chicha phenomenon had its peak in the 1990s, during the government of President Alberto Fujimori, when it was used as a propaganda tool to defame, attack and insult members of the opposition and also journalists who were inconvenient for the regime.
Prensa chicha continues to exist, although its influence has diminished over time.
When a foreign journalist arrives in a country to cover a story, their most common first task is finding a “guide” to navigate around and understand the context of the place they’ve landed. In the field of journalism, this guide is known as a fixer and is a local person who collaborates with foreign journalists or journalists from other regions, helping them with translation tasks, connecting with sources, transportation, legal guidance, research assistance, etc.
The role of a fixer is crucial, especially in areas where journalists face cultural, linguistic or logistical barriers. Despite their importance, fixers often work in the background, with little visibility or credit in the final product, although their work is essential to the success of a lot of international reporting.
In several Latin American countries, a nevera, or refrigerator, is an appliance designed to preserve food and drinks at low temperatures, which helps prevent spoilage and prolong its life.
In journalistic slang, the "nevera" is a symbolic space for waiting and reservation.
It can refer to news that’s put on hold. That is, news that is considered relevant but not urgent and can be "guardada en la nevera” (put in the fridge), that is, postponed to be published later, when it is more timely or relevant.
It can also refer to paused projects. A feature article or investigation that has not been ruled out, but whose publication is on hold, can also be said to be "en la nevera" (in the fridge).
For its part, in Brazil the expression “engavetar” or “pôr na gaveta” is used to refer to those news or projects that are on hold.
The prensa rosa or prensa del corazón is a journalistic genre dedicated to covering the personal and social lives of public figures, such as celebrities, members of royalty, athletes, artists and other personalities. Its content focuses on topics such as relationships, breakups, marriages, births, scandals, lifestyles, and notable social events. This type of journalism appeals to interest in the personal stories of celebrities, combining information with entertainment.
The prensa rosa has notable popularity in several Latin American countries, especially in those with strong culture of media consumption related to entertainment and celebrities. For example, in Mexico, the prensa rosa is very influential due to the industry around soap operas, music and cinema. Magazines such as TVNotas, TVyNovelas and television programs such as Ventaneando are among the most consumed.
In Argentina, the prensa del corazón focuses on local entertainment figures, such as actors, singers, athletes and politicians involved in scandals. Programs like Intrusos and Los Ángeles de la Mañana, along with magazines like Caras, have a large audience.
In Brazil, the term “imprensa sensacionalista” is used. Some examples are the defunct newspaper Notícias Populares of São Paulo or the current tabloid Meia-Hora of Rio. In the worst case, prensa sensacionalista earns the name of “imprensa marrom” (brown press) when it is considered that it is far from the truth.
In English, the term tabloid press dates back to the early 20th century, when smaller, standard-sized newspapers emerged that contained condensed stories that were easy for readers to read. The term soon became synonymous with scandal stories, graphic crimes and celebrity news.
A nut graph (or "nut graf") is a term used in journalism, especially in Anglo-Saxon media, to refer to the key paragraph in a news story or report that summarizes the purpose or main focus of the story. Its name comes from the idea of "nut," as it encapsulates the core of information in a compact paragraph, helping the reader understand what the text is about and why it is relevant.
The nut graph is important because it establishes context, engages the reader and saves them time. In long or narrative texts, the nut graph may appear after a few initial paragraphs.
The term "above the fold" comes from traditional newspaper design and is used in the field of journalism, web design and advertising to refer to the most visible or prominent content. Originally, it referred to the top part of a printed newspaper that was visible when folded on newsstands, and was where the most important news was placed to capture readers' attention.
In Spanish, it could be translated as “por encima del pliegue” but it is more common to use the anglicism. In Portuguese, the translation “acima da dobra” is used more.
A stringer is a term used in journalism to describe a freelance reporter.
A stringer is a term used in journalism to describe a freelance reporter or contributor who works for one or more news organizations, usually from a remote location. Unlike staff journalists, stringers do not have a formal employment contract with the organizations they work for, but are usually paid for each story, article or piece of material they deliver.
An example of a stringer could be a photographer in a conflict zone who works for several news agencies, sending images of the events in exchange for remuneration for each photo published.
Stringers are essential in journalism because they provide first-hand content whether in unexpected events or dangerous areas. They also help reduce costs for news organizations.
However, the work of a stringer can be precarious, as they often lack job stability and protection from risks.
A “pitch” in the journalistic context is a story or article proposal that a journalist, writer or freelance contributor presents to an editor or media outlet for consideration.
The goal of the pitch is to convince the editor that the idea is interesting, relevant and worthy of publication. It's an essential tool for freelancers looking to sell their ideas to specific publications.
The pitch not only helps journalists sell their ideas, but also allows editors to evaluate whether the proposal is suitable for their outlet and how it would fit into their editorial calendar. It is a key tool to establish collaborations.
