Fanning the flames: How U.S. newspapers framed 10 historically significant U.S. wildfires

Abstract

Wildfire news coverage gains importance not only for information provided, but for images created. Using 10 historically significant U.S. wildfires for analysis, with framing and social cohesion theory as framework, this study examines news cycles for news hook, theme and source usage. Results show agency personnel and citizens are nearly equal, with scientists later in coverage. Framing mirrors patterns in environmental reporting: presenting this hazard in capital terms rather than a social or societal issue.

Future Direction of Fuels Management in Sagebrush Rangelands

“…Although the threat posed by wildfire has gained national attention, national news media focus largely on forests over rangelands. Even the most destructive rangeland fires have drawn less coverage by national media (Terracina-Hartman 2020). Articles about wildfire risk reduction likewise focus on forests and urbanized areas (Jacobson et al, 2022), leaving interested people with little information on which to base opinions about treatment options in sagebrush ecosystems.…”

Nationalizing the “refugee crisis”: A comparative analysis exploring how elite newspapers in four countries framed forced migration during World Refugee Day

“…Media frames can influence how audiences evaluate issues lying at the heart of such public debates (Frear et al, 2019). They tend to increase in importance when news media coverage centers around an ongoing crisis, since specific frames help people understand novel, complex situations (Terracina-Hartman, 2020). As such, understanding news media frames is important when analyzing the contemporary refugee situation.…”