Representation of Vulnerable Groups in Dutch Climate Crisis News: An Analysis of Mainstream Narratives

Abstract

The present study provides an empirical analysis of how different vulnerable groups (migrants, children, women and gender minorities, older adults, and people experiencing poverty) are included in Dutch climate crisis reporting. These groups are often disproportionally affected by climate developments, yet empirical research on their media representation in this context is limited. By utilising computational methods for text analysis, this research provides a critical-empirical exploration of framing practices on a large volume of news articles (N = 17,550) retrieved from seven major news outlets published between 2014 and 2023. The findings show dominant media frames in Dutch climate crisis reporting, with distinct patterns emerging depending on the vulnerable groups under consideration. The analysis explores the extent to which these groups are portrayed as active agents or passive victims in news media reporting. The study contributes to broader societal debates on equity and inclusion, offering insights that can inform more inclusive climate communication.