Framing in a contested space: media reporting on tourism and mining in Australia

Abstract

The last decade has seen Australia's economy undertake a significant transformation, with a rapid resurgence in mining. The high exchange rate that has arisen as a consequence of this boom has resulted in a number of other Australian industries becoming less competitive, leading to a two-speed economy. For the tourism industry the result has been declining visitation, with some commentators attributing this decline directly to the mining boom. This paper explores how the media frames tourism-and mining-related issues regarding the current mining boom in Australia by undertaking a content analysis of 265 online newspaper articles relating to tourism and mining in Australia. The impact of mining on the tourism sector was frequently identified as a key issue, with the rapid expansion of mining increasing competition for labour, resources and infrastructure, as well as having the propensity to destroy certain tourism products. Journalistic techniques, such as hedging, were found to be prevalent in the media reporting, potentially leading to confusion surrounding key issues relating to tourism and mining in the public forum. Future research should seek to explore strategies that could be used by government and businesses to build sustainable, resilient regions through tourism and mining.

The social identity approach to understanding socio-political conflict in environmental and natural resources management

“…Agenda setting can be aimed at dividing public opinion in order to increase awareness and generate public interest and support for the issue, thus influencing public opinion and shaping the frames which guide further interactions, discourse, and decision-making in relation to the issue (Howard, 2012;McLennan et al, 2014;Shmueli, 2008). As a result, conflict between the parties, and their interests, becomes entrenched not only in the governance process but also in the public discourse, in what Yasmi et al (2006, p. 544) describe as a culture of conflict.…”

The social identity approach to understanding stakeholder conflict in environmental and natural resources management

“…Agenda setting can be aimed at dividing public opinion in order to increase awareness and generate public interest and support for the issue, thus influencing public opinion and shaping the frames which guide further interactions, discourse, and decision-making in relation to the issue (Shmueli, 2008;Howard, 2012;McLennan et al 2014). As a result, conflict between the parties, and their interests, becomes entrenched not only in the governance process but also in the public discourse, in what Yasmi et al (2006, p. 544) describe as a culture of conflict.…”

“…Kasperson (2006) describes non-stakeholders as process spectators, indicating that while members of the citizenry may not be personally involved, perceptions and beliefs of the citizenry can be shaped by an ENRM issue. McLennan et al (2014) describe the citizenry as an audience, emphasising the role of the media in shaping the citizenry's view on ENRM issues. Accordingly, the relationship of the citizenry with ENRM issues can be understood through Downs' (1972) issue-attention cycle, which explores how public interest and enthusiasm may be piqued as an issue emerges, though declines overtime until the issue is no longer considered a problem, regardless of the outcome.…”

“…Just as Pondy (1967) emphasised the recurring nature of organisational conflict, a key relationship evident in this model is the connection between the conflict aftermath of one conflict episode, and the construction of a subsequent conflict episode. However, analysis, media attention, and mediation and resolution efforts are unlikely to be directed toward an ENRM conflict outside of the manifest conflict phase (McLennan et al 2014;Yasmi et al 2006). Through integration of these four theoretical approaches, and in particular through highlighting the place of the conflict construction and conflict aftermath phases, this conceptual model presents a framework for incorporating the residual issues from a past ENRM conflict-the conflict legacy-into understandings of emergent issues, and interpreting current conflict episodes as the foundation for future conflict episodes.…”

“…These conflictual frames are both cultural and habitual, and changing the culture of conflict of ENRM will be a gradual process. The framing from the news media of emergent conflicts as irreconcilable inter-relationship conflicts is well outside of the powers of ENRM to affect as it would require the news media to forgo sensational and incendiary reporting (certainly in Australia this seems unlikely, e.g., McLennan et al (2014) and Zammit et al (2000)). However, the promises of participatory planning (e.g., Brown and Raymond 2014) may offer opportunities for ENRM professionals to disrupt the culture of conflict by providing accessible, convenient, and enjoyable methods for citizen participation in planning prior to a conflict emerging.…”