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Language framing of reporting climate change issues in online media and its potential to trigger reader apathy

Yusri (Department of Foreign Language Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Muhammad Aqil Mushaddiq (Department of Foreign Language Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Nur Iffa Awaliyah (Department of Foreign Language Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Siti Hardianti Kahar (Department of Foreign Language Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Royhan Jamil Al Arqomi (Department of Foreign Language Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Essam S. Sappe Abdulwahid Muhammad (Department of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication

ISSN: 2514-9342

Article publication date: 11 November 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the language features (framing analysis) used in reporting climate change issues in online media and their potential effect on triggering reader apathy.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining discourse analysis and survey. The data for this research is derived from news articles published between 2023 and 2024 in Indonesia’s three largest online media platforms. The Apathy Evaluation Scale assessed 305 people’s apathetic attitudes toward climate change.

Findings

The findings reveal that many respondents exhibit moderate apathy toward climate change issues. The research establishes a correlation between the frequency of news consumption and apathetic attitudes toward climate change. The findings identify four aspects that are likely to contribute to triggering apathetic behavior among readers of online media reporting on climate change: the dominant focus of the news, the explanation of potential impacts of climate change, contextual factors and the clarity of information sources.

Practical implications

This study offers valuable recommendations for policymakers and relevant organizations, empowering them to develop effective educational initiatives and formulate impactful climate change reporting strategies in mass media. These findings can motivate action and change, ensuring a more informed and engaged public.

Originality/value

More research is still needed on framing analysis of reporting on climate change issues in online media using language framing theory. The findings of this research have the potential to make a substantial contribution to the advancement of science, particularly in linking language and the environment.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest regarding the authorship and publication of this article.

Citation

Yusri, Mushaddiq, M.A., Awaliyah, N.I., Kahar, S.H., Al Arqomi, R.J. and Muhammad, E.S.S.A. (2024), "Language framing of reporting climate change issues in online media and its potential to trigger reader apathy", Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-06-2024-0402

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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