Sifting through sand: Community news coverage of fractured sand mining

Abstract

This content analysis examines how journalists construct local news stories when the new issue of a fractured sand mine is proposed to a community. Results reveal that initially journalists opt for the use of thematic framing to more thoroughly explain the background and complexities of silica sand mines, as well as related issues such as environmental and economic impacts. Over time, however, episodic frames become more prevalent following mining routine event coverage. Overall, political and industry communications produced economic frames, which dominated coverage more than environmental frames, despite concerns by scientists and citizens about environmental impact.