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How did the fracking controversy emerge in the period 2010-2012?
1Syracuse University, USA amazur@syr.edu.
Public Understanding of Science (Bristol, England)
|August 10, 2014
Summary
The fracking controversy gained global attention due to the "Gasland" film and media coverage following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, sparking public concern and opposition worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Media Studies
- Public Policy
Background:
- The period 2010-2012 witnessed a rapid escalation of the controversy surrounding hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
- The anti-fracking documentary "Gasland" significantly amplified public awareness and concern.
- Initial media attention was limited, with major US news organizations largely overlooking the issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the factors contributing to the rapid growth and international spread of the fracking controversy.
- To examine the role of media, including documentaries and news reporting, in shaping public perception of fracking risks.
- To understand the timeline and key events that elevated fracking to a major public issue.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of media coverage and documentary film.
- Timeline analysis of key events and public discourse.
- Tracing the geographical spread of the controversy from the US to other nations.
Main Results:
- The documentary "Gasland" (2010) popularized alarming imagery of fracking hazards, contributing to early public concern.
- The Deepwater Horizon disaster (April 2010) prompted increased investigative reporting on onshore extraction risks by major news outlets like The New York Times.
- By 2012, extensive media coverage transformed the fracking debate into a widely recognized international issue, fostering public opposition.
Conclusions:
- Media narratives, particularly impactful documentaries and subsequent news coverage, played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion against fracking.
- External events, such as the Deepwater Horizon disaster, acted as catalysts for increased media scrutiny of the oil and gas industry.
- The fracking controversy demonstrates the power of media in shaping public discourse and influencing policy debates on energy extraction techniques.
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