What's News Got to Do With
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% WHAT’S NEWS GOT TO DO WITH IT?: ^ ^7 EXAMINING THE CONTRIBUTION OF TORONTO’S PRESS IN MAINTAINING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-DETRIMENTAL SOCIAL PARADIGM, 2003-2006 by Lisa Botticella B.ES., York University, Toronto, ON., 1999 A thesis presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in the Program of Environmental Applied Science and Management Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2006 © Lisa Botticella 2006 PROPERTY OF R’ÆRSOW UNIVERSITY UBflARy’ UMI Number: EC53478 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform EC53478 Copyright2009 by ProQuest LLC All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. II Abstract What’s News Got To Do With It?: Examining the contribution of Toronto’s press in maintaining an environmentally-detrimentai social paradigm, 2003-2006 Master of Applied Seienee, 2007 Lisa Botticella, Environmental Applied Science and Management, Ryerson University This content analysis examines print media coverage of Toronto’s waterfront development to determine whether story frames perpetuate the dominant social paradigm. Articles from 8 newspapers are analyzed in two content dimensions, the sub-issues which surround waterfront development and the ways of understanding the environment presented as relevant to Toronto’s waterfront development. Findings show presence of conflict, use of a non-routine information channel and broad source mix do not result in more diverse content. Likewise, characteristics such as a news organization’s conventionality (i.e., alternative or mainstream), size and ownership (i.e., independent or group-owned) exert limited influence over story content. Organized around the competitive city concept described by Kipfer and Keil’s (2002), this research examines whether media coverage aligns with the capitalist urbanization process, concluding story frames in news discourse de-emphasize the environment as an issue and rely on the least-progressive environmental management paradigms when reporting on Toronto’s waterfront development. Ill Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to all those who were instrumental in the completion of this research. First, I would like to thank my supervisor. Dr. Michal Bardecki, for not only his continued guidance, patience and perseverance in prompting me to complete this work, but most importantly for his reassurances when I despaired of ever finishing. I would also like to thank Dr. Pamela Robinson for encouraging my interest in urban planning, introducing me to the work of Colby, supplying cookies and candy as needed, and being a constant source of support. Completing this difficult and challenging task would have been impossible if not for the assistance of not only Dr. Bardecki and Dr. Robinson but all the Ryerson faculty members who made time for my constant queries. A special thanks to Dr. Doug Banting and Dr. Hersch Jacobs, whose anecdotes and antics helped to dispel my graduate-student blues. In completing my thesis, I would also like to acknowledge the financial contributions 1 have received from both the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Coimcil and Ryerson University. The financial support provided by these organizations is truly appreciated. On a personal level, all those who helped to inspire and sustain me deserve recognition. First, as the little voice that initially encouraged me to embark on this academic adventure and who now has evolved into my personal life coach, 1 would like to thank Tania. For helping to organize and edit my thesis, 1 am grateful to my dad; for keeping me supplied with food 1 am grateful to my mom; for always “having my back” 1 am grateful to my sister; and 1 am extremely appreciative of all my family’s efforts to help me regain my perspective on what truly matters. 1 would also like to thank Elyas for dragging me forcefully out of my house to experience the outside world 1 was too busy writing about. Last, but by no means least, 1 would like to acknowledge the contributions of my staunchest supporters: without Hayley, Kevin and peppermint tea 1 never would have made it past the proposal stage. In raising the bar then lending me a hand to attain it, Hayley has been a true mentor and strong ally; and I never would have been able to meet this challenge were it not for Kevin’s steadfast faith in my abilities (and willing acceptance of delegated tasks). IV TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................ ü ABSTRACT ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................iü ACKNOWLEGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................. iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 T he E n v ir o n m e n t a s a n Iss u e in th e M e d ia .......................................................................................................................3 1.2 He g e m o n y a n d t h e C i t y ................................................................................................................................................................8 1.3 St u d y Fr a m e w o r k ..........................................................................................................................................................................1 1 CHAPTER 2: NEWS MEDIA AND CONTENT .........................................................................................................................13 2.1 DEFINING THE D eterminants OF D iv e r s it y .........................................................................................................................14 2.2 In f l u e n c e o f N o r m s ......................................................................................................................................................................17 2.2.1 Journalistic Norms......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 2.2.2 Organizational Norms ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2.2.3 Economic norms............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.4 Ideological norms.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.3 C o n t e n t V a r ia t io n A m o n g N e w s p a p e r s ...........................................................................................................................23 2.3.1 Alternative versus mainstream newspapers........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 24 2.3.2 Small versus large newspapers ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 2.3.3 Independent