Structure and Conditions of Origin of Reporting on Latin America in the German Press

The role of foreign reporting became even more important at the beginning of the 21^st century. Due to the international integration of communications technology, the expansion of different communication relationships and transnational political networking, foreign reporting is becoming increasingly important today (cf. Koschwitz, p. 466). This means that in times of global political and economic networking it has become essential for a country whether or in what way it is portrayed in the media of other countries (cf. Scherer et al, 2006, p. 201). The (non-)perception of a specific nation can lead to certain images that could have concrete consequences for political and economic processes (cf. Hahn, 2008, p.19). Which "topics" or "issues", which kinds of facts and developments are selected by the media and classified as worthy of publication? Foreign reporting is ascribed a strong agenda-setting effect, because the audience often lacks its own experience of the reporting region. For this reason, the media are gaining influence in setting the agenda (cf. Hafez, 2002a, p. 42). A relationship between foreign reporting and the presentation of foreign countries and cultures is undisputed (cf. Nitz, 2008, p. 64).