Comparative content analysis of the coverage of environmental issues in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star /
Ferdinand M. Parin.
- Indang, Cavite, Cavite State University- Main Campus, 2006.
- x, 82p. : ill. ; 28 cm. illustrations ; cm.
Thesis (BA Mass Communication) Cavite State University.
Includes bibliographical references.
PARIN, FERDINAND M. Comparative Content Analysis of the Coverage of Environmental Issues In the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication major in Journalism. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. April 2006. Adviser: Ms Girlie Ann R. Herrera.
This study was conducted to examine and compare the coverage of environmental issues in the Philippine’s two leading newspapers, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star. Specifically, it aimed to determine the importance given by the two newspapers on its coverage of environmental issues as determined by frequency of environmental articles; the depth in reporting the two newspapers placed on its coverage of environmental issues as determined by measure of article length; the importance the two newspapers placed on environmental coverage as determined by placement of article; the ‘slant’ reflected by the two newspapers coverage of environmental issues as measured by whether content was pro-environment, critical or pro-industry, or objective; and the similarities and differences between the coverage of environmental issues in The Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star.
The study used the descriptive research method, particularly the comparative content analysis. Data gathered were both qualitative and quantitative. Data were gathered from articles published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star. Back issues of the two newspapers were obtained from public libraries. Articles that were needed were photocopied, analyzed, and were assigned an identification number for coding and statistical purposes. Quantitative analysis was made in the number of articles in the newspaper and its length. Qualitative analysis was made in the content of the selected articles.
Based on the results of the study, environmental issues were given a relatively moderate importance as determined by the frequency of articles. It was also found that environmental issues were given in-depth coverage by both newspapers as determined by article length. It was also determined that both newspapers gave high importance in its coverage of environmental issues. Results also showed that the two newspapers both have a relatively pro-environment point of view. It was also found that the coverage of treatment of environmental issues in the two newspapers was identical.
Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star regularly feature environmental articles. It was also found that the Philippine Daily Inquirer is a more effective avenue for voicing out environmental concerns because it publishes a lot more environmental articles.
In comparing the two newspapers, it was noted that they give an almost identical coverage of environmental issues with regards to length, play and slant. The differences between the two newspapers are small and can be considered as negligible.