Date of Award

2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Department

Communication Studies

First Advisor

Emily Diamond

Abstract

Local news outlets are well positioned to communicate and localize sea level rise for communities facing significant risk, yet coverage of the issue remains understudied. This thesis examines coverage of sea level rise in local Rhode Island news and the factors shaping it. A mixed-methods approach was used following the collection of nearly 1,000 articles published between 2014 and 2024, including a content analysis of issue-level frames and semi-structured interviews with local journalists to contextualize coverage patterns. The analysis revealed that stories focusing on infrastructure and property, politics, governance, and law, and natural hazards dominated coverage, while stories about recreation and tourism, and equity and justice received less attention. Economic coverage was also notably limited. Interviews indicated that newsroom constraints, individual capacity, comfort and confidence in reporting on climate science, and editorial priorities influence which stories are told.

Together, these findings highlight the relationship between coverage patterns and the lived experiences of journalists navigating a complex scientific topic and newsroom constraints. These insights have practical implications for journalists seeking to expand coverage and localize sea level rise in their reporting, for science communicators working to translate their work to journalists, and for newsrooms aiming to produce more comprehensive and nuanced reporting. In particular, the study underscores the value of scientific training for journalists and facilitating direct collaboration between scientists and journalists. Overall, this research contributes to more informed, inclusive, and resilient local news coverage, ultimately supporting public understanding and engagement with coastal climate risks.

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