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How partisan news outlets frame vested interests in climate change
Bradley J Adame1, Steven R Corman2, Carsyn J Endres2
1Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, United States; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States; Center for Strategic Communication, United States.
Journal of Environmental Management
|January 26, 2025
Summary
US news coverage of climate change diverges from scientific consensus, fueling public division. Analysis reveals media framing, not just partisanship, shapes understanding of climate crisis impacts and solutions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Media Studies
- Communication
Background:
- Anthropogenic climate change is a major global threat.
- US public opinion on climate change causes and solutions is notably divided compared to global consensus.
- US media coverage may contribute to this anomalous public discourse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze US news media discourse on climate change.
- To compare media framing with scientific conclusions on climate change effects and solutions.
- To understand how media coverage influences public perception and debate.
Main Methods:
- Theoretically-driven quantitative content analysis using Vested Interest Theory (VIT).
- Coding of a representative sample of US news discourse, balanced across partisan orientation.
- Granular analysis of single sentences, with randomized source and order presentation for human coders.
Main Results:
- Salience, response-efficacy, and certainty were the most frequently referenced variables in news discourse.
- A significant partisan divide was observed in the discourse patterns.
- Unexpected non-linear patterns emerged, potentially linked to source rhetorical styles.
Conclusions:
- US news media discourse on climate change does not align with the scientific consensus.
- Media framing significantly influences the American debate on climate change, its effects, and solutions.
- Discrepancies in reporting likely contribute to the unique and divided US public opinion on climate issues.
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