Beyond the Altar: Exploring the Media Ethos of Father Fábio de Melo
communication; ethos; discourse; Fabio de Melo; religion.
This study aims to analyze the construction of the media ethos of Father Fábio de Melo through his discourses. The central question is to understand how the identity of the priest is constructed, marked by his prominence in the media landscape as an influencer of narratives that extend beyond the religious domain. To achieve this objective, we use Discourse Analysis - DA, a methodological framework inspired by French theory, particularly based on Dominique Maingueneau's concepts regarding the notion of ethos. To outline how the priest's ethos is produced, we used a qualitative approach focusing on the collection of daily posts published on his official Instagram account, during the period from June to November 2024, analyzing the context that structures the priestly identity. Through an exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of discourse, this research sought to unveil the strategies employed by the priest, who, through his engagement in the media sphere, constructs his public identity and strengthens connections with his audience, thereby highlighting the convergence between faith, art, communication, and business.