Schäfer, M. S., & Schlichting, I. (2014). Media representations of climate change: A meta-analysis of the research field

Title: Media representations of climate change: A meta-analysis of the research field Authors: Schäfer, M. S., & Schlichting, I. Publication: Environmental Communication, 8(2), 142-160 (2014)

Summary:

In this study, Schäfer and Schlichting conducted a meta-analysis of the research field on media representations of climate change. They analyzed over 100 publications to assess the state of research, trends, and existing gaps in this area. The authors found that the majority of studies focused on the content of media coverage, with newspapers being the most commonly examined medium.

The research showed that media coverage of climate change has generally increased over time, but there are significant differences between countries. Developing countries tend to receive less coverage, while industrialized nations like the United States and United Kingdom receive more attention. The portrayal of climate change also varies, with some media sources focusing on scientific aspects and others emphasizing political, economic, or cultural dimensions.

The authors highlighted a need for further research in areas such as media framing, the role of digital media, and the impact of media representations on public opinion and policy making. Additionally, they called for more comparative and longitudinal studies to better understand the dynamics of media coverage across different countries and time periods.