The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. An analysis of the most relevant frames in the Spanish press

Abstract

The accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan on 11 March 2011 unleashed an environmental, economic, political and humanitarian crisis whose effects are still felt today. This study analyses press coverage of the incident by three Spanish daily newspapers, Abc, El País and La Vanguardia, to determine the prevalent frames in the news articles on the disaster. Content analysis based on the stories published between March and May 2011 suggests that the most ubiquitous frames were human interest, economic consequences, political conflict, damage and environmental risks.