ABSTRACT

Major storms in the northeastern United States in 2011 and 2012 caused widespread power outages, bringing attention to the vulnerability of utility infrastructure as a result of extreme weather and environmental change. Media coverage of such focusing events provides context for and can affect government and public response. Our objective was to analyze gatekeeping, agenda setting, and framing in the New York Times (NYT) and local newspapers covering power outages related to large storm events in 2011 and 2012 (Tropical Storm Irene, October snowstorm, Hurricane Sandy). Government and utility officials focused on structural solutions to mitigate future storm impacts, whereas residents and businesses targeted individual actions. NYT interviews included residents more frequently than local newspapers, influencing coverage of impacts and solutions. Geographic differences between NYT and local newspapers’ foci may relate to coverage of solutions to and responsibility for outages. Our findings demonstrate the importance of collective action toward shared solutions.

摘要

2011年和2012年美国东北部的大风暴造成了广泛的停电，使人们注意到由于极端天气和环境变化而导致公用事业基础设施的脆弱性。此类焦点事件的媒体报道为政府和公众的回应提供了背景，并可能影响政府和公众的回应。我们的目标是在《纽约时报》上分析门禁，议程设置和框架（NYT）和当地报纸报道与2011年和2012年大风暴事件有关的停电（热带风暴艾琳，十月暴风雪，飓风桑迪）。政府和公用事业部门的官员专注于缓解未来风暴影响的结构性解决方案，而居民和企业则针对个人行动。与当地报纸相比，NYT采访居民的频率更高，从而影响影响和解决方案的范围。纽约时报与当地报纸关注的地区之间的地理差异可能与解决方案的覆盖范围和中断的责任有关。我们的发现证明了采取集体行动对共同解决方案的重要性。