Análisis de calidad cartográfica en medios periodísticos digitales: una evaluación a partir de los principios de la semiología gráfica.
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Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
Los mapas constituyen herramientas fundamentales para la visualización y comunicación de información geográfica compleja de forma clara y comprensible. No obstante, su implementación en el periodismo digital carece de criterios mínimos de diseño y rigor cartográfico. Como resultado la eficacia comunicativa se ve comprometida. Esta problemática se vincula con el desconocimiento de los principios de la semiología gráfica, los cuales son la base teórica para garantizar una adecuada legibilidad y diferenciación visual de la información. En la presente investigación, se analiza la aplicación de los principios de la semiología gráfica en mapas utilizados en medios periodísticos digitales, evaluando su claridad y eficacia comunicativa. Para esto, se realiza una evaluación de mapas publicados por tres medios periodísticos digitales durante el periodo 2020 – 2026: BBC News, BiobíoChile y CiperChile. Los resultados revelan que los estándares de calidad cartográfica son mínimos en la mayoría de los casos. Asimismo, se evidencia que la mayor deficiencia de los mapas se relaciona directamente con la legibilidad, jerarquización y diferenciación visual de la información. Como conclusión, los resultados evidencian una aplicación insuficiente de los principios de la semiología gráfica en los mapas analizados, lo que repercute negativamente en su claridad y eficacia comunicativa, comprometiendo su función informativa en el contexto del periodismo digital.
Maps are essential tools for visualizing and communicating complex geographic information in a clear and understandable way. However, their implementation in digital journalism lacks minimum standards of design and cartographic rigor. As a result, communicative effectiveness is compromised. This problem is linked to a lack of knowledge of the principles of graphic semiology, which are the theoretical basis for ensuring adequate legibility and visual differentiation of information. In this research, we analyze the application of the principles of graphic semiology in maps used in digital news media, evaluating their clarity and communicative effectiveness. To this end, an evaluation is carried out of maps published by three digital news media outlets during the period 2020–2026: BBC News, BiobíoChile, and CiperChile. The results reveal that cartographic quality standards are minimal in most cases. Likewise, it is evident that the greatest deficiency of the maps is directly related to the legibility, hierarchy, and visual differentiation of the information. In conclusion, the results show that the principles of graphic semiotics have been insufficiently applied to the maps analyzed, which negatively affects their clarity and communicative effectiveness, thereby compromising their informative function in the context of digital journalism.
Maps are essential tools for visualizing and communicating complex geographic information in a clear and understandable way. However, their implementation in digital journalism lacks minimum standards of design and cartographic rigor. As a result, communicative effectiveness is compromised. This problem is linked to a lack of knowledge of the principles of graphic semiology, which are the theoretical basis for ensuring adequate legibility and visual differentiation of information. In this research, we analyze the application of the principles of graphic semiology in maps used in digital news media, evaluating their clarity and communicative effectiveness. To this end, an evaluation is carried out of maps published by three digital news media outlets during the period 2020–2026: BBC News, BiobíoChile, and CiperChile. The results reveal that cartographic quality standards are minimal in most cases. Likewise, it is evident that the greatest deficiency of the maps is directly related to the legibility, hierarchy, and visual differentiation of the information. In conclusion, the results show that the principles of graphic semiotics have been insufficiently applied to the maps analyzed, which negatively affects their clarity and communicative effectiveness, thereby compromising their informative function in the context of digital journalism.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Geógrafo/a.
Keywords
Mapas, Periodismo en línea, Semiótica, Métodos gráficos