Social Discourse concerning Pollution and Contamination in Spain: analysis of online comments by digital press readers

Identifier:  imarina:5130215

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5130215

Authors:  Begueria, Arantza; Larrea, Cristina; Muñoz, Araceli; Zafra, Eva; Mascaró, Jaume i Porta, Miquel

Abstract:
This article examines the online comments writien by readers of the major Spanish newspapers on the subject of pollution and contamination in Spain. The study off ers a comparative analysis of the perceptions, ideas and discourse of those who post comments in the cases of fi sh contaminated with mercury and atmospheric pollution in the city of Barcelona. The research includes analysis based on some methodological principles of Grounded Theory, and reports diff erences between perceptions of food contamination ¿felt as a severe, imminent and global health problem¿and of air pollution ¿perceived as a social and political problem. Readers' comments reveal a signifi cant tendency towards blaming the political and industrial sectors, among others, as well as a profound distrust of the institutions responsible for safeguarding public health.