Evolution of the Photographic Representation of Women on the Front Pages of the Spanish Press (1977–1997): A Comparative Analysis of ABC and El País

Ana María Zafra Arroyo

doi:10.17231/comsoc.48(2025).6429

Authors

Ana María Zafra Arroyo Departamento de Periodismo, Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6881-0351

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17231/comsoc.48(2025).6429

Keywords:

gender studies, visual content analysis, photographs, front covers, Spanish transition

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse the evolution of the photographic representation of women on the front pages of the newspapers ABC and El País, based on a convenience sample of all March issues from 1977 to 1997. The research method used is visual content analysis (Neuendorf, 2017). The units of analysis were obtained from the digital newspaper archives of both newspapers, specifically the front-page archive sections. Of the 1,300 front pages examined, 242 photographs featured women. Beyond the quantitative dimension, the interpretative aspects of visual representation were also considered. This dual approach not only allows for measuring frequencies but also for understanding the cultural and ideological implications of the portrayals. The presence of women on the front pages remains a minority compared to that of men, usually not exceeding 10–15%. Results show that ABC reinforces traditional roles and the decorative representation of women, while El País highlights their political and labour presence, albeit with an emphasis on victimisation. The analysis reveals how these photographs shaped a gendered visual narrative in the press, restricting women’s visibility and recognition in political and professional spheres. Extending these findings to the present, visual stereotypes are shown to persist and to be reproduced not only in digital environments but also in artificial intelligence-generated imagery.

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Author Biography

Ana María Zafra Arroyo, Departamento de Periodismo, Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain

Ana María Zafra Arroyo is a researcher at the University of Malaga, funded by the University Professor Training Grant. She holds a degree in Journalism, for which she received the special end-of-degree award of her graduating class. She pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Akdeniz (Antalya, Turkey) through a State scholarship of the Republic of Turkey. In addition to her master’s degree in Journalism from Akdeniz University, she obtained a master’s degree in Multilevel System of the Fundamental Rights in the European Union from the University Institute of Distance Education. She began her research career with a research initiation grant at the same institution, focusing on the topic of disinformation. Her current research interests include freedom of expression and the right to information, intercultural and gender communication in journalism and European media law.

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