Environmental Debates in the Media

The Case of Hardrock Mining in Arizona and Energy Transition Dilemmas

Datos Bibliográficos

ID16916366
AutoresCatherine Francis Brooks (0000-0002-7735-4558, University of Arizona, autor de correspondencia), Brigitte Juanals (0000-0003-3576-1064, Aix-Marseille Université), Jean-Luc Minel (0000-0001-6253-6722, Université Paris Nanterre)
Año2024
Volumen14
Número3
Fecha de publicación2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/21582440241267847
OpenAlexW4401274310
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas50

This article delves into the debates, both in print and digital media, surrounding copper mining and its associated concerns, particularly those related to hardrock mining. Guided by agenda-building, pragma-dialectics, and stakeholder theories, this research employs topic modeling to scrutinize the media strategies and arguments employed by key stakeholders involved in an environmental movement. The aim is to unveil implicit communication activities that contribute to the emergence of public debates, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics within stakeholder discourses. The analysis shows that by referring to authoritative arguments, the local press distributes the places of power while representing conflicting standpoints and arguments. With digital media, the opponents build a pro-environmentalist network to publicize the issues relative to the mining project and the importance of defending southwestern habitats and landscape. Mining proponents similarly rely on business communities to underscore the importance of hardrock mining for things like decarbonized energy and modern living. Across groups, stakeholder communication situates differing conceptions of the relationship between humans and their natural environment. Our findings reveal that, consistently across various groups, the discourse maintains a degree of stability as topics and arguments persist over time. On one side, discussions highlight the destructive impacts of mining, while the opposing perspective underscores the significance of sustainable and resilient mining practices. This analysis of stakeholder discourses in the media helps uncover the various ways primary actors maintain their positionality and power in this particular case

Energy transition · Political science · Public relations · Environmental Justice and Health Disparities · Mining and Resource Management · Public Administration · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy