Media coverage on radon gas in Galician digital news media

Authors

Keywords:

radon gas, media coverage, risk communication, Galicia, digital news media, journalism

Abstract

Exposure to radon gas is the first cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and Galicia is the most affected region in Spain. The main objective of this research is to know the relevance of radon gas in the news agenda of the digital media outlets in Galicia, analyzing its evolution in recent decades and the characteristics of the news coverage. Also to identify the most relevant actors in the news, observing the role of public administrations and political actors in the communication of the radon risk. A content analysis of the news about radon (n=271) published in the digital editions of La Voz de Galicia, Galicia Confidencial, La Región and Faro de Vigo was carried out. The results reveal an increasing coverage of radon during the period analyzed (2002-2022). The news items address measurements and risks of gas exposure in homes and workplaces, health research and regulatory initiatives. Local government and public administrations share prominence as actors together with research institutions, with no clear dominance of the first on the public agenda on radon.

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Author Biographies

María Cruz Negreira Rey, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)

Profesora ayudante doctora del Departamento de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC). Doctora en Comunicación e Información Contemporánea (USC). Es miembro del grupo de investigación Novos Medios (USC). Su investigación se centra en el periodismo local, el periodismo digital y las redes sociales. 

Jorge Vázquez-Herrero, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)

Profesor ayudante doctor del Departamento de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC). Doctor en Comunicación e Información Contemporánea (USC). Es miembro del grupo de investigación Novos Medios y de la Cátedra Latinoamericana de Narrativas Transmedia (ICLA-UNR). Fue investigador visitante en la Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Universidade do Minho, University of Leeds y Tampere University. Su investigación se centra en el impacto de la tecnología y las plataformas en el periodismo digital y las narrativas.

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Published

2022-10-29

How to Cite

Negreira Rey, M. C., & Vázquez-Herrero, J. (2022). Media coverage on radon gas in Galician digital news media. Prisma Social Journal, (39), 4–24. Retrieved from https://revistaprismasocial.es/ps/article/view/4855

Issue

No. 39 (2022): Comunicación, periodismo y política

Section

Sección temática

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