Accountability instruments in Ecuador's social media. Perceptions of journalists and citizens

Media accountability is a mechanism for transparency and proximity to audiences, enhancing participation, plurality, and diversity; it is based on ethics and is complemented by standards to ensure co-regulatory models. This research employs the typology of instruments proposed in the MediaACES project to establish the perception of journalists and Ecuadorian citizens on the instruments of accountability promoted internally and externally to the media. The analysis is descriptive and relational, using qualitative and quantitative methodology by way of surveys and a virtual discussion forum. The most highly appreciated accountability instruments are the traditional ones external to the media companies in terms of self-regulation, participation and transparency; there is an intention to use those well-known mechanisms through which the media can demonstrate their good practice; there is also evidence of a strong influence of the Participation Law with respect to accountability, which is conceived as a legal duty, determined by what happened with the State Department of Communication during the government of President Rafael Correa.