![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to produce shale gas remains controversial. Most research in this area has focussed on the environmental and economic impacts, with concerns for water, soil and air pollution, seismic activity and cost effectiveness being most prevalent. In contrast less attention has been given to the identities and experiences of a growing number of anti-fracking groups and campaigns. This research explores how grassroots activists in the UK have been framed and reframed in media, political and campaigner discourse. Through a combination of semi structured interviews with activists at three protest sites in July 2017 and analysis of media coverage at that time in the national and local press, it explores the extent to which discretionary policing practices, conflicting media reports and fluctuating framings have impacted the movement’s ability to exercise its democratic right to protest.
Acknowledgments
I am indebted to Jenny Pickerill and Ruth Little for their invaluable advice and support whilst this research was in its formative stages. I am grateful to all the research participants who gave their time and enthusiasm to be interviewed for this project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Ella Muncie
Ella Muncie has a Masters in Environment, Culture and Society from the University of Edinburgh and is currently an ESRC funded PhD student in the School of Media, Communication and Sociology at the University of Leicester, UK. Her research focuses on how environmental issues are communicated and shaped by particular political, pressure group, public and media framings.