The mainstream media view of the Fintech Revolution

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-58442023203pt

Keywords:

Fintech, Financial Sector, Technology, Media, CSR

Abstract

International mainstream media have presented fintech as revolutionary and a threat to the traditional banking industry. This article explores how that image is constructed. Designed to expand access to the banking system, fintechs should follow social responsibility parameters and fill a market gap left by banks. We chose to analyze the media for its character as a barometer of perception and understanding of specific logics (LOK, 2010). We analyzed articles from the New York Times and the Financial Times for 24 months. The articles showed that the media, when dealing with fintech, uses expressions such as “threat”, “competition”, “disruption”, “revolution,” and, with much less emphasis, social consequences. Our analysis found an ambiguous discourse of market rationalization in an attempt to align practices with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in an industry under construction.

Author Biographies

Janes Rocha, Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo - SP, Brazil

Journalist, assistant editor of “Jornal da Ciência” and the podcast “O Som da Ciência”, both Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) scientific communication vehicles. Master in Science/Sustainability (2021) at the School of Arts, Science and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (EACH/USP) with a research project in microfinance. Bachelor in Social Communication/Journalism (1985) at Faculdades Integradas Alcântara Machado/Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas (FIAM/FMU). Experience in journalistic coverage of economics, science, technology, environment, and sustainability issues.

Tania Pereira Christopoulos, Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo - SP, Brazil

Associate Professor at the School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities at the University of São Paulo, coordinator of the Master’s and Doctorate Program in Sustainability, and professor of the Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the University of São Paulo. Researcher on microfinance, impact business, social technology, and urban agriculture. Post-Doctorate in social business from HEC Montreal and the University of Lisbon, a Ph.D. and master’s degree in Business Management from Fundaçao Getúlio Vargas and London Business School. Bachelor in Public Administration from EAESP Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Experience in Administration with research projects related to the themes of Impact Investments and Businesses, Innovation and Microfinance, Permaculture, Innovation and Marketing.

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Published

2023-12-18

How to Cite

ROCHA, J.; CHRISTOPOULOS, T. P. The mainstream media view of the Fintech Revolution. Intercom - Brazilian Journal of Communication Sciences, São Paulo, v. 46, p. e2023203, 2023. DOI: 10.1590/1809-58442023203pt. Disponível em: https://revistas.intercom.org.br/index.php/revistaintercom/article/view/4173. Acesso em: 4 mar. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 46 (2023)

Section

Arena

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Intercom-Revista Brasileira de Ciências da Comunicação

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