Media and the dystopian city: The heroin “crisis” in Madrid (1980- 1995)

Abstract

This contribution explores and thereby problematizes the role played by ABC in constructing a geographical

imaginary of drugs in the city of Madrid between 1980 and 1995. It is a first step toward analyzing the

newspaper’s treatment of space in relation to drugs and crime. For this purpose, we produced a map showing

the location of unsafe places as they appeared in the newspaper. In addition, we used the cartographic materials

produced by ABC at the time. The main objective is to critically question the role the maps played in the

construction of a geography of insecurity by the media. Also of particular interest is the role of urban space in

explaining one of the main concerns of that time: the increase in drug use. This text will explore these questions

in depth, with the intention of shedding light on this phenomenon. In what social, political, economic, and urban

context were these news reports published and these maps produced? What kind of events did they focus on?