Media Content Analysis

To date, little attention has been given to the analysis of the media coverage of offshore wind in Ireland. This study aimed to identify arguments used to present offshore wind to the public, while the sector is at a nascent stage of development. The study was conducted as part of a wider body of research on public perception of offshore wind in Ireland. This report examines the coverage of offshore wind in the Irish printed news media between 2015 and 2019. Articles about offshore wind were studied in four Irish newspapers to see if it was possible to identify any trends. Five main themes were identified and analysed; government, economy, environment, society and research. It was observed that coverage of these frames remained largely the same with government and economic themes dominating. This study reveals slow but consistent progress towards the inevitable expansion of the offshore wind industry in Ireland with coverage intensifying from 2018. Negative sentiment was perceived with regard to coverage of government action or decisions which reveals the importance of framing; this is shown in the context of media informing public opinion