Contested Frames and the Media in Environmental Protests: Shifting the Geothermal Debate in the Turkish Aegean

Abstract

The Turkish Aegean hosts extensive geothermal resources, a very fertile agricultural land where a variety of distinct agricultural products are grown. Although the geothermal resources in the region offer an important potential for energy production, their exploitation has triggered protests due to its damaging impact on agriculture. In this study we explore how the news media and movement actors frame geothermal energy development in the region and examine the dynamics of frame contests under a competitive authoritarian regime. We analyze the movement organizations' tactics and strategies in counter-framing, revealing the factors affecting frame diffusion. Our findings indicate that the framing efforts are shaped by several factors including the capacity of civic organizations and their networking efforts, the locals' political orientation, demographic variations, opposition background, visible damage in the vicinity, and the extent of grievances.