Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
A Newspaper Content Analysis of Flooding in Appalachian Mining Towns
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This poster presents findings from a study conducted on newspaper reports of flooding events in Appalachian mining towns. Four Eastern Kentucky newspapers (Mountain Eagle, Appalachian News Express, Hazard Herald, and Pike County News) were examined for the years 1927-57, 1972-77 and 2010-12 to reflect periods where major flooding events occurred in the region of Appalachia. A content analysis revealed changes in the language, focus and framing of the events within and between each period. While “aid” appeared frequently in the 1927-57 period, floods were often referred to as “accidents,” and the 1970s saw the introduction of “disaster” language with respect to both mining and flooding. The 1970s also demonstrated the first instances of reports concerning legislation and policy relating to mining and flooding, reflecting greater public awareness of and political response to environmental issues and concerns.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Samantha Cook is a senior in the Department of Criminal Justice and a McNair Scholar at EKU. Following her May 2016 graduation, she plans to attend law school with an emphasis on environmental law.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Alice Jones is Professor of Geography and Director of Appalachian Studies at EKU.
A Newspaper Content Analysis of Flooding in Appalachian Mining Towns
This poster presents findings from a study conducted on newspaper reports of flooding events in Appalachian mining towns. Four Eastern Kentucky newspapers (Mountain Eagle, Appalachian News Express, Hazard Herald, and Pike County News) were examined for the years 1927-57, 1972-77 and 2010-12 to reflect periods where major flooding events occurred in the region of Appalachia. A content analysis revealed changes in the language, focus and framing of the events within and between each period. While “aid” appeared frequently in the 1927-57 period, floods were often referred to as “accidents,” and the 1970s saw the introduction of “disaster” language with respect to both mining and flooding. The 1970s also demonstrated the first instances of reports concerning legislation and policy relating to mining and flooding, reflecting greater public awareness of and political response to environmental issues and concerns.
