First Advisor

Cynthia-Lou Coleman

Date of Publication

1-1-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication

Department

Communication

Language

English

Subjects

Environmental reporting -- Columbia River, Mass media -- Social aspects, Fishery management Press coverage Columbia River, Mass media and the environment -- Columbia River

DOI

10.15760/etd.266

Physical Description

1 online resource (x, 160 p.), col. map

Abstract

This thesis examines how the construction of news stories reveals relationships among groups of stakeholders and how their views unfold within environmental conflict coverage. This study uses a content analysis of 161 newspaper articles concerning the sea lion and salmon controversy at the Bonneville Dam, focusing on source use and blame and solution frames in environmental conflict coverage. This analysis of articles published between January 2003 and June 2010 in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Montana contributes to research concerning journalistic norms (i.e., balance and objectivity) and news production routines, specifically within the field of environmental reporting. The findings indicate governmental sources were most frequently quoted and presented the most successful solution frames; while advocacy/non-profit sources were quoted less frequently (in addition to tribal sources) and presented the most blame and failed solution frames. Additionally, this research reflects on the role of news filters, including journalistic norms and legal issues, and explores the relationship between blame frames and failed solution frames, which is perhaps a reflection of the role of spokespeople and media jargon.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

Portland State University. Dept. of Communication

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/7040

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