Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:44:02.408Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

RESEARCH ARTICLE: Representation of Fracking in Mainstream American Newspapers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2016

Sabrina Habib  and
Melanie Sberna Hinojosa
Sabrina Habib*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of Mass Communication, Winthrop University
Melanie Sberna Hinojosa
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida.
*
Address correspondence to: Sabrina Habib, MFA, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mass Communication, Winthrop University, 701 Oakland Ave., 219 Johnson Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733; (phone) (352) 262-4348; (e-mail) [email protected].
Get access

Abstract

This study employed deductive content analysis how hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, in online versions of elite American newspapers. The media sources The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post were chosen as the best outlets to analyze to gain insight into the print and digital media that influence public opinion in the United States. A total of 349 articles published from 1851 to May 2014 were included in this study. The study instrument was based on previous media framing studies, including those on hydraulic fracturing and climate change communication, in addition to observations of patterns noted by the authors during an initial round of coding in the interest of relevance. This study examined the tone in which media coverage portrays hydraulic fracturing, thereby influencing social perceptions of the practice. Significant findings from the study are (a) hydraulic fracturing is presented by elite news outlets through conflict, responsibility (blame), and environmental concerns; and (b) water pollution was the main concern portrayed in the articles, which presents hydraulic fracturing mostly as a water-related issue while leaving out other important aspects of natural gas extraction.

Environmental Practice 18: 83–93 (2016)

Type
Features
Information
Environmental Practice , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 2016 , pp. 83 - 93
Copyright
© National Association of Environmental Professionals 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Antilla, L. 2005. Climate of Scepticism: US Newspaper Coverage of the Science of Climate Change. Global Environmental Change 15(4):338–352.Google Scholar
Armstrong, K., Card, R., Navarette, R., Nelson, E., Nimerick, K., Samuelson, M., Collins, J., Dumont, G., Priaro, M., Wasylycia, N., and Slusher, G.. 1995. Advanced Fracturing Fluids Improve Well Economics. Oilfield Review 7:34–51.Google Scholar
Bailey, J., and Lee, H.. 2012. North American Oil and Gas Reserves: Prospects and Policy. Harvard Kennedy School. Discussion paper.Google Scholar
Barth, J. M. 2013. The Economic Impact of Shale Gas Development on State and Local Economies: Benefits, Costs, and Uncertainties. New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy 23(1):85–101.Google Scholar
Beresford, H. 2014. Differences in the Media’s Framing of Hydraulic fracturing/Shale Gas in New York, Pennsylvania, Germany, and the United Kingdom (Master’s thesis). Available at http://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/8575/Beresford%20Draft%20MP%20v10.pdf?sequence=1 (accessed April 20, 2015).Google Scholar
Boudet, H., Clarke, C., Bugden, D., Maibach, E., Roster-Renouf, C., and Leiserowitz, A.. 2013. “Fracking” Controversy and Communication: Using National Survey Data to Understand Public Perceptions of Hydraulic Fracturing. Energy Policy 65:57–67.Google Scholar
Brewer, P., and Gross, K.. 2010. Studying the Effects of Issue Framing on Public Opinion About Policy Issues: Does What We See Depend on How We Look? In Doing News Framing Analysis: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives, P. D’Angelo, ed. Routledge, New York, NY, 159–186.Google Scholar
Brosselin, P., Rudant, J., Orsi, L., Leverger, G., Baruchel, A., Bertrand, Y., Nelken, B., Robert, A., Michel, G., Margueritte, G., Perel, Y., Mechinaud, F., Bordigoni, P., Hémon, D., and Clavel, J.. 2009. Acute Childhood Leukaemia and Residence Next to Petrol Stations and Automotive Repair Garages: The ESCALE Study (SFCE). Occupational and Environmental Medicine 66(9):598–606.Google Scholar
Burton, T. G., Rifai, H.S., Hildenbrand, Z.L., Carlton, D.D., Fontenot, B.E., and Schug, K.A.. 2016. Elucidating Hydraulic Fracturing Impacts on Groundwater Quality Using a Regional Geospatial Statistical Modeling Approach. Science of the Total Environment 545:114–126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carpenter, S. 2007. U.S. Elite and Non-Elite Newspapers’ Portrayal of the Iraq War: A Comparison of Frames and Source Use. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 84(4):761–776.Google Scholar
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). 2010. Public Health Implications of Ambient Air Exposures as Measured in Rural and Urban Oil and Gas Development Areas: An Analysis of 2008 Air Sampling Data, Garfield County, Colorado. CDPHE Colorado Cooperative Program for Environmental Health Assessments, Denver, CO.Google Scholar
Coman, H. 2012. Balancing the Need for Energy and Clean Water: The Case for Applying Strict Liability in Hydraulic Fracturing Suits. Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review 39(5):131–160.Google Scholar
Conley, S., Franco, G., Faloona, I., Blake, D., Peischl, J., and Ryerson, T.. 2016. Methane Emissions from the 2015 Aliso Canyon Blowout in Los Angeles, C. Science doi: 10.1126/science.aaf2348.Google Scholar
Coons, T., and Walker, R.. 2008. Community Health Risk Analysis of Oil and Gas Industry in Garfield County. Saccommano Research Institute, Grand Junction, CO.Google Scholar
Davis, C., and Hoffer, K.. 2012. Federalizing Energy? Agenda Change and the Politics of Hydraulic Fracturing. Policy Sciences 45(3):221–241.Google Scholar
Dearing, J.W., and Rogers, E.M.. 1996. Communication Concepts 6: Agenda-Setting. SAGE Publications, London, UK.Google Scholar
De Vreese, H. 2010. Framing the Economy. Doing News Framing Analysis: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives, 187. Routledge, London, UK.Google Scholar
Dispensa, J., and Brulle, J.. 2003. Media’s Social Construction of Environmental Issues: Focus on Global Warming—A Comparative Study. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy 23(10):74–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellsworth, W. 2013. Injection-Induced Earthquakes. Science 341(6142). doi: 10.1126/science.1225942.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Entman, R. 2010. Framing Media Power Doing News Framing Analysis: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives, P. D’Angelo, ed. Routledge, New York, NY, 331–355.Google Scholar
Entman, R. M. 1993. Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm. Journal of Communication 43(4):51–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evensen, T., and Clarke, E.. 2011. Efficacy Information in Media Coverage of Infectious Disease Risks: An Ill Predicament? Science Communication. doi: 10.1177/1075547011421020.Google Scholar
Evensen, T., Clarke, E., and Stedman, C.. 2014. A New York or Pennsylvania State of Mind: Social Representations in Newspaper Coverage of Gas Development in the Marcellus Shale. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 4(1):65–77.Google Scholar
Eyck, T.A., and Williment, M.. 2003. The National Media and Things Genetic: Coverage in The New York Times (1971–2001) and The Washington Post (1977–2001). Science Communication 25(2):129–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fontenot, B.E., Hunt, L.R., Hildenbrand, Z.L., Carlton, D.D. Jr., Oka, H., Walton, J.L., Hopkins, D., Osorio, A., Bjorndal, B., Hut, Q.H., and Schug, K.A.. 2013. An Evaluation of Water Quality in Private Drinking Water Wells Near Natural Gas Extraction Sites in the Barnett Shale Formation. Environmental Science & Technology 47(17):10032–10040.Google Scholar
Fry, M., Hoeinghaus, D.J., Ponette-González, A.G., Thompson, R., and La Point, T.W.. 2012. Fracking vs. Faucets: Balancing Energy Needs and Water Sustainability at Urban Frontiers. Environmental Science & Technology 46:7444–7445.Google Scholar
Glass, D.C., Gray, C.N., Jolley, D.J., Gibbons, C., Sim, M.R., Fritschi, L., Adams, G.G., Bisby, J.A., and Manuell, R.. 2003. Leukemia Risk Associated with Low-Level Benzene Exposure. Epidemiology 14(5):569–577.Google Scholar
Hayes, F., and Krippendorff, K, K.. 2007. Answering the Call for a Standard Reliability Measure for Coding Data. Communication Methods and Measures 1(1):77–89.Google Scholar
Hildenbrand, Z.L., Osorio, A., Carlton, D.D., Fontenot, B.E., Walton, J.L., Hunt, L.R., and Schug, K.A.. 2015. Rapid Analysis of Eukaryotic Bioluminescence to Assess Potential Groundwater Contamination Events. Journal of Chemistry 2015.Google Scholar
Hoffman, L. H., and Slater, M.D.. 2007. Evaluating Public Discourse in Newspaper Opinion Articles: Values-Framing and Integrative Complexity in Substance and Health Policy Issues. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 84(1):58–74.Google Scholar
Howarth, R.W., Ingraffea, A., and Engelde, T.. 2011. Natural Gas: Should Fracking Stop? Nature 477(7364):271–275.Google Scholar
Jacobson, K., Langin, C., Carlton, S., and Kaid, L.. 2012. Content Analysis of Newspaper Coverage of the Florida Panther. Conservation Biology 26(1):171–179.Google Scholar
Jemielita, T., Gerton, G.L., Neidell, M., Chillrud, S., Yan, B., Stute, M., and Roy, J.. 2015. Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates. PloS one 10(7):e0131093.Google Scholar
Kassotis, C.D., Tillitt, D.E., Davis, J.W., Hormann, A.M., and Nagel, S.C.. 2013. Estrogen and Androgen Receptor Activities of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals and Surface and Ground Water in a Drilling-Dense Region. Endocrinology 155(3):897–907.Google Scholar
Kiousis, S. 2004. Explicating Media Salience: A Factor Analysis of New York Times Issue Coverage During the 2000 US Presidential Election. Journal of Communication 54(1):71–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kim, B.M., Park, E.K., LeeAn, S.Y., Ha, M., Kim, E.J., Kwon, H., Hong, Y.C., Jeong, W.C., Hur, J., Cheong, H.K., Yi, J., Kim, J.H., Lee, B.E., Seo, J.H., Chang, M.H., and Ha, E.H.. 2009. BTEX Exposure and Its Health Effects in Pregnant Women Following the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 42(2):96103.Google Scholar
Kinnaman, T.C. 2011. The Economic Impact of Shale Gas Extraction: A Review of Existing Studies. Ecological Economics 70(7):1243–1249.Google Scholar
Kirkeleit, J., Riise, T., Bråtveit, M., and Moen, B.E.. 2008. Increased Risk of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma in a Historical Cohort of Upstream Petroleum Workers Exposed to Crude Oil. Cancer Causes & Control 19(1):13–23.Google Scholar
Kristiansen, C.M., and Zanna, M.P.. 1988. Justifying Attitudes by Appealing to Values: A Functional Perspective. British Journal of Social Psychology 27(3):247–256.Google Scholar
Lahsen, M. 2005. Seductive Simulations? Uncertainty Distribution Around Climate Models. Social Studies of Science 35(6):895–922.Google Scholar
Lazic, D. 2013. News Analysis of the Fukushima Accident: Lack of Information Disclosure, Radiation Fears and Accountability Issues. Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia 12(2):19–34.Google Scholar
Luther, C.A., and Zhou, X.. 2005. Within the Boundaries of Politics: News Framing of SARS in China and the United States. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 82(4):857–872.Google Scholar
McKenzie, L., Witter, R., Newman, L., and Adgate, J.. 2012. Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Emissions from Development of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources. Science of the Total Environment 424:79–87.Google Scholar
Moore, C.W., Zielinska, B., Pétron, G., and Jackson, R.B.. 2014. Air Impacts of Increased Natural Gas Acquisition, Processing, and Use: A Critical Review. Environmental Science & Technology 48(15):8349–8359.Google Scholar
Neuman, R.W., Just, M.R., and Crigler, A.N.. 1992. Common Knowledge: News and the Construction of Political Meaning. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, 190 pp.Google Scholar
Nisbet, M.C. 2009. Communicating Climate Change: Why Frames Matter for Public Engagement. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 51(2):12–23.Google Scholar
Nisbet, M.C., and Mooney, C.. 2009. Framing Science. In Communicating Science: New Agendas in Communication, L. Kahlor and P. Stout, eds New Agendas in Communication Series. Routledge, New York, NY, 40–67.Google Scholar
Nisbet, M.C., Scheufele, D.A., Shanahan, J., Moy, P., Brossard, D., and Lewenstein, B.V.. 2002. Knowledge, Reservations, or Promise? A Media Effects Model for Public Perceptions of Science and Technology. Communication Research 29(5):584–608.Google Scholar
Nisbet, M.C., and Myers, T.. 2007. The Polls – Trends: Twenty Years of Public Opinion About Global Warming. Public Opinion Quarterly 71(3):444–470.Google Scholar
Nisbet, C., and Scheufele, A.. 2009. What’s Next for Science Communication? Promising Directions and Lingering Distractions. American Journal of Botany 96(10):1767–1778.Google Scholar
Osborn, S., Vengosh, A., Warner, N., and Jackson, R.. 2011. Methane Contamination of Drinking Water Accompanying Gas-Well Drilling and Hydraulic Fracturing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of United States of America 108(20):8172–8176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perry, S.L. 2012. Addressing the Societal Costs of Unconventional Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: A Framework for Evaluating Short-Term, Future, and Cumulative Risks and Uncertainties of Hydrofracking. Environmental Practice 14(4):352–365.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reese, S.D., and Danielian, L.H.. 1989. Intermedia Influence and the Drug Issue: Converging on Cocaine. In Communication Campaigns About Drugs: Government, Media, and the Public, P.J. Shoemaker, ed. Routledge Communication Series. Routledge, New York, NY, 29–46.Google Scholar
Rogers, E.M., and Chang, S.. 1991. Media Coverage of Technology Issues: Ethiopian Drought of 1984, AIDS, Challenger, and Chernobyl. In Risky Business: Communicating Issues of Science, Risk, and Public Policy, L.C. Black Wilkens and P. Patterson, eds. Praeger, Santa Barbara, CA, 75–96.Google Scholar
Schultz, C. 2013. Marcellus Shale Fracking Waste Caused Earthquakes in Ohio. Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union 94(33):296–297.Google Scholar
Semetko, H., and Valkenburg, P.. 2000. Framing European Politics: A Content Analysis of Press and Television News. Journal of International Communication 50(2):93–109.Google Scholar
Souther, S., Tingley, M.W., Popescu, V.D., Hayman, T.D., Ryan, M.E., Graves, T.A., and Terrell, K.. 2014. Biotic Impacts of Energy Development from Shale: Research Priorities and Knowledge Gaps. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 12(6):330–338.Google Scholar
Stedman, R.C., Jacquet, J.B., Filteau, M.R., Willits, F.K., Brasier, K.J., and McLaughlin, D.K.. 2012. Marcellus Shale Gas Development and New Boomtown Research: Views of New York and Pennsylvania Residents. Environmental Practice 14(4):382–393.Google Scholar
United States Energy Information Administration (USEIA) 2014. Annual Energy Outlook 2014 with Projections to 2040. Available at http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/pdf/0383(2014).pdf (accessed April 20, 2015).Google Scholar
Vasterman, P.L. 2005. Media-Hype Self-Reinforcing News Waves, Journalistic Standards and the Construction of Social Problems. European Journal of Communication 20(4):508–530.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wagner, W., and Hayes, N.. 2005. Everyday Discourse and Common Sense: The Theory of Social Representations. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, United Kingdom.Google Scholar
White, N., WaterNaude, J., Van Der Walt, A., Ravenscroft, G., Roberts, W., and Ehrlich, R.. 2009. Meteorologically Estimated Exposure but Not Distance Predicts Asthma Symptoms in School Children in the Environs of a Petrochemical Refinery: A Cross-Sectional Study. Environmental Health 8(1):45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zehr, S.C. 2000. Public Representations of Scientific Uncertainty About Global Climate Change. Public Understanding of Science 9(2):85–103.Google Scholar