Problem Stream. The problem stream is operationalized by searching for symbols in media (i.e. Fox News). But first, this study will identify a potential focussing event. Climate change is perhaps the most obvious focussing event however, as mentioned in the theoretical framework, a focussing event for the Republican party could have been the creation of a Climate Action Plan by the Obama administration. The manner the media (i.e. Fox News) has framed climate change and climate change policies in the US is essential to comprehend in this study. The justification for focussing on Fox News is because the Xxxxx administration frequently spoke about their fondness of the media outlet calling them “real reporters and real news” (Xxxxxxx, 2019, p. 3). The Xxxxx administration called other media outlets (e.g. MSNBC, CNN, CBS) fake news and Xxxxx himself frequently stated that he watches Fox News every day (Xxxxx, 2018). Xxxxxxxxxx (2016) argues that this could be problematic because policymakers (e.g. the Xxxxx administration) get their news from biased information sources (Mayne & Xxxxxxx, 2021: Xxxxxxxxxx, 2016). Xxxxxxxx (2015) and Xxxxx et al., (2013) showed that the use of emotions and fears in the media can frame a problem in a particular way that suits an actor (i.e. the policy entrepreneur). The problem framing in the problem stream has become increasingly important for the agenda-setting stage due to the changing media landscape (Xxxxx et al., 2013: Knaggard, 2015). Knaggard (2015) also introduced the “problem broker” which was conceptualized in the theoretical framework. The operationalization of this role will be done by specifically looking at Fox News. The problem depiction and framing by Fox news will be analysed by examining if they used symbolic literary devices (Stone, 2011). Stone (2011) uses a social constructivist lens to examine public policies. Broadly speaking this means that creating truly objective policies is not possible as every choice is subject to values (Stone, 2011). Xxxxx (2011) argues that symbols are powerful tools to tell stories. Furthermore, Xxxxxxxxxx (2016b) points out that the use of symbols in the problem stream provoke emotional responses. This contributes to the making of narratives (Stone, 2011: Xxxxxxxxxx, 2016b: Xxxxx et al., 2013). Therefore, the possible use of symbolic literary devices by Fox News will be analysed. These are narrative stories, metaphors and synecdoche (Stone, 2011). For instance, if Fox News uses a story of declin...
Problem Stream. The analysis of the problem stream will strive to explore whether expectation 1 can be confirmed. The timeframe of the problem stream is between 2013 and 2018. In 2013 Xxxxx presented his Climate Action Plan (CAP) in which his administration strived to regulate the fossil-fuel industry. 2018 is a year after the withdrawal and is used to provide context and explore the reaction by Fox News to the withdrawal. By examining this timeframe under both administrations it will strive to provide evidence for their allegedly partisan framing. The operationalization of this stream is done by identifying a focussing event and the use of symbolic literary devices (Stone, 2011). It will start with Fox News its depiction of climate change, then a depiction of Xxxxx’s climate policies and Fox News its depiction of the Paris agreement. In doing so, it will analyse whether expectation 1 can be confirmed.
Problem Stream. The problem stream is where the perceptions of problems are defined. Problems are conditions and issues that matter to the public (Xxxxxx et al., 2015). These problems deviate from an ideal standard and governments should therefore act to resolve these issues such as climate change. However, many problems deviate from an ideal standard. Xxxxxxx (1995) describes a process in which the problems can become more prominent and coupled with the other streams. These parameters are indicators, focusing events and feedback. The purpose of these parameters is to attract attention from policymakers. The first parameter is indicators. Indicators are used in a specific area to heighten attention to a specific problem. For instance, environmental indicators, such as the number of wildfires in California in a certain year or the number of environmental regulations made which cripple the fossil-fuel industry. Indicators can thus determine the presence of a problem and its weight. The second parameter in the problem stream is focusing events. Xxxxxxxx (1998) argues that a focusing event is a harmful or potentially harmful event. Focusing events harm certain communities and can mobilize interest groups (Xxxxxxxx, 1998). These interest groups (e.g. the media, policy entrepreneurs or the public) strive to increase the attention towards certain problems and advocate for policy change. These groups can argue that the current policies are considered to be policy failures and should therefore be changed (Xxxxxxxx, 1998: Xxxxxx, 2009). Focusing events are thus considered to be (sudden) crises that place pressure on policymakers to act and resolve the issue (Xxxxxx et al., 2015: Xxxxxxx, 1995: Xxxxxxxx, 1998). An example could be the recent snowstorm in Texas which crippled the state and showed policy failures regarding the power grid in Texas. Another example could be the Climate Action Plan of the Obama administration. When Xxxxx announced the Climate Action Plan, Republicans and the fossil-fuel industry lobby, mobilized their communities to oppose the Plan. They argued that the Climate Action Plan would be a policy failure and would unnecessarily harm the US economy (Dayaratna et al., 2016: Xxxxxxxxx, 2015). Furthermore, they stated that the proposed regulations in the plan would cost billions of dollars with almost no benefits in return (Xxxxxxxxx et al., 2016: Xxxxxx, 2015). The last parameter in the problem stream is feedback. There may be feedback within existing programs an...
