Cobertura radiofónica del cambio climático en España (2020-2024). Análisis longitudinal de contenidos, enfoques y fuentes

Beatriz Catalina-García; Carlos Lozano-Ascencio; Enrique Morales-Corral

doi:10.4185/rlcs-2027-2653

Authors

Beatriz Catalina-García English https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0464-3225
Carlos Lozano-Ascencio Universidad Rey Juan Carlos https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2537-0799
Enrique Morales-Corral Español https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5886-2672

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4185/rlcs-2027-2653

Keywords:

climate change, radio, analysis content, environmental communication, information sources, climate impacts, environmental benefits

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change communication constitutes a critical challenge for contemporary media, given its scientific and social relevance. Radio, as a medium with wide reach, low barriers to access, and high credibility, continues to play a strategic role in the dissemination of environmental information and the construction of public discourse. Methodology: This study analyses radio coverage of climate change in Spain between 2020 and 2024 through a longitudinal and quantitative approach. A total of 2,224 news items broadcast by 18 radio stations with different ownership structures and geographical coverage are examined, collected by Observatorio de la Comunicación del Cambio Climático (Spain), with the aim of assessing how radio addresses global environmental challenges, with particular attention to framing, sources and thematic emphasis. Results: The analysis identifies an increase in trends of media attention to climate change, the predominance of specific news frames, and the types of sources and voices employed. It also explores the dynamics of thematic structuring and narrative priorities associated with causes, impacts, and benefits. Discussion: Although coverage has improved in terms of volume and specialization, shortcomings persist in source diversity, gender equity, and thematic depth. Conclusions: These results underscore the significance of radio as an accessible and socially widespread medium, with the capacity to enhance environmental literacy and public debate based on scientifically grounded and critical discourse.

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Author Biographies

Beatriz Catalina-García, English

PhD in Communication Sciences from Rey Juan Carlos University (2011). Graduated in Journalism from Complutense University of Madrid (1989) and in Political Science from the National Distance Education University (UNED) (2014). Has participated in several competitive research projects. Researcher at the UNESCO Chair in Communication Research at URJC (COMUNESCO) and member of the Climate Change Communication Observatory. Currently part of the research team for the National R&D+i Project “Media Repertoires and Practices among Adolescents and Young People: Uses, Cyber Well-being and Digital Vulnerabilities on Social Networks” (2023–2027). Her research interests focus on audiences, radio, and digital communication. Over the past decade, she has published more than fifty peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals.

Carlos Lozano-Ascencio, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Full Professor of Journalism. Holds a PhD in Information Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid and a BA in Communication Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Principal Investigator of the R&D project “Research in Communication in Spanish Universities: Innovation, Continuity and International Projection within the MapCom Programme (2019–2027)”. Since 2019, he has served as a researcher at the Climate Change Communication Observatory. Coordinator of the University Research Group on Mediation and Communication (GUIMEDCOM), based at Rey Juan Carlos University. His main research areas include risk and disaster communication, climate emergency, meta-research in communication, and the history of journalism.

Enrique Morales-Corral, Español

Sociologist by the Public University of Navarre and PhD with European Mention in Sociology and Communication from the Complutense University of Madrid. Coordinator of the Academic and Quality Committee for the Primary Education Degree at the University of Valladolid. Member of the MDCS-UCM research group and the Applied Social Sciences Research Group at the University of Valladolid. Active member of several scientific societies, including ECREA, FES, and AMS, and serves on various editorial, scientific, and advisory boards of academic journals. Has undertaken research stays at Westminster University (UK) and Malmö University (Sweden). His research interests focus on communication, climate change, and new technologies.

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