An analysis of climate change narratives in the alternative news of New Zealand

Abstract

There is no other issue that is as important as climate change. The public learns about this important issue through the media. While mainstream media have been found to inadequately report on this issue, little research has examined how alternative media frame climate change. On 22 March, Professor Tim O’Riordan, the British Sustainability Commissioner and advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, gave a public speech arguing that climate change must be framed not as a sacrifice or a penalty but as an opportunity to benefit the future. If such a frame were to be found, one might expect to see its presence initially in the alternative press. Using Professor O’Riordan’s arguments as a launching point for this study, this research examines how Aotearoa Indymedia and Scoop, both independent news websites based in New Zealand, are framing the issue of climate change. This research is essential in understanding the role of corporate media in structuring such an important social issue and how alternative media might fundamentally differ.