Abstract: This article presents an analysis of the news about an important social program maintained by the federal government, Programa Bolsa Família, in the period of brazilian major elections of 2006. The study is based in 166 texts published in the newspapers O Globo, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de São Paulo e Valor Econômico between September 1st and October 31st. We discuss the production of electoral agenda, observing disputes, adjustments and acommodations that constitute news coverage. The analysis of voices and framings in the texts leads to the observation of relevant aspects of the relations between media and politics at that moment. Conclusions underline the low plurality in press coverage, connected to representations of the elections of 2006 and Brazilian democracy that include stigmatization of low income voters and beneficiaries of social programs.
journalism; electoral agenda; Programa Bolsa Família; public debate
