Identifier
etd-11112009-230423
Degree
Master of Mass Communication (MMC)
Department
Mass Communication
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Louisiana’s coastal wetlands provide a habitat for diverse wildlife, recreational opportunities for Louisiana residents and tourists, and an important natural buffer between communities and powerful hurricanes. Because they are disappearing at a rapid rate, coastal wetlands issues have been prominent in south Louisiana for decades. The catastrophic hurricanes of 2005 and 2008 have given the discussion an increased sense of urgency. Through this paper, I explore coverage of wetlands loss in local south Louisiana daily newspapers. Specifically, I try to determine how these papers frame the issue and illuminate how sources present in these stories participate in the construction of those frames. I then discuss the advocacy group America’s WETLAND’s role as a newspaper source, how the group developed and maintains its message, and the relationship between that message and the group’s sponsors. Finally, I interview journalists who cover the issue for newspapers in south Louisiana and the managing director of America’s WETLAND.
Date
2009
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Harang, Paul, "Advocacy groups in the wake of Hurricane Katrina: who shapes coverage of wetlands loss" (2009). LSU Master's Theses. 2038.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/2038
Committee Chair
Mann, Jr., Robert Townley
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.2038