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• Date of publication Jan 09, 2023 Category: Article

  An environmental problem in the making: how media logic molds scientific uncertainty in the production of news about artificial turf in Sweden

  by Ernesto Abalo , Ulrika Olausson

  This study aims to contribute knowledge about how an environmental issue is discursively forged notwithstanding the prevalence of significant scientific uncertainty. This is done by studying the production of news about artificial turf as a microplastic pollutant in Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 journalists and editors, public officials, politicians, industry representatives and experts, all involved in the issue of artificial turf. The study shows how media logic, among other factors, informs the interpretations of the uncertainties surrounding artificial turf as an environmental problem and concludes that the power of media logic needs to be considered also in the construction of other scientifically charged issues.

  Volume 22 • Issue 01 • 2023

• Date of publication Oct 29, 2019 Category: Article

  Meat as a matter of fact(s): the role of science in everyday representations of livestock production on social media

  by Ulrika Olausson

  In recent times we have allegedly witnessed a “post-truth” turn in society. Nonetheless, surveys show that science holds a relatively strong position among lay publics, and case studies suggest that science is part of their online discussions about environmental issues on social media — an important, yet strikingly under-researched, debate forum. Guided by social representation theory, this study aims to contribute knowledge about the role of science in everyday representations of livestock production on social media. The analysis identifies two central themata, namely lay publics' contestations of (1) facts and non-facts, and (2) factual and non-factual sources.

  Volume 18 • Issue 06 • 2019

• Date of publication Aug 19, 2019 Category: Article

  Young, sceptical, and environmentally (dis)engaged: do news habits make a difference?

  by Yuliya Lakew , Ulrika Olausson

  Research shows that news consumption plays a positive role in youths' environmental engagement. This article examines if this also holds true for sceptics by comparing Swedish climate change sceptics with non-sceptical youngsters in their early and late adolescence. We conceptualise news consumption as foci of public connection and orientation rather than a source of environmental information. The results show that in their early teens, heavy news consumers among both sceptics and non-sceptics are indeed more engaged with environmental issues than their less news-oriented peers. However, in late adolescence, sceptics among news consumers show very little environmental engagement.

  Volume 18 • Issue 04 • 2019