The journalism of conjecture or rumors in Peru

Abstract

The article addresses the use of verbs in the conditional mode of rumor and conjecture in journalism, which have been the subject of analysis and discussion by experts and academics who warn that resorting to these verbal modes makes the information unreliable since it is unverified information on which the editor or journalist is not committed, bringing as a consequence that the quality and credibility of journalism declines. In this sense, it is necessary to verify whether Peruvian journalism maintains good practices. To address this task, four newspapers of national circulation and varied styles in the approach to news have been selected. Between the months of October and November 2022, the newspapers were reviewed and these verbs were identified by type or mode of conditional, their frequency of use in the texts, likewise, it was seen in which sections they are most used and the ethical factor was added to see if this limit was crossed. It was concluded that Peruvian journalism tends to use conditional verbs, although the conditional of conjecture and to a lesser extent the conditional of rumor, despite the parameters established by the media.