Abstract—The world has entered the digital sources era in
which Internet is the main source of news. The disruptive effects
of internet on communication and public sphere were observed
in many aspects of social life and distracting existing social
institutions and the social systems. Discussion in public sphere
on many global problems, such as environmental issues arising
from global warming and climate change is clouded by divided
and opposite views and beliefs, caused, as research that is
presented in the article demonstrates, by the nature of the
online communication platforms which humankind use to
access the news. Aim of this article is to describe communication
practices and discourse use connected to the term of climate
change in Croatian online media-sphere through the
application of semantic and content analysis of the online
communication. In this paper are propose effective
communication procedures and messages to enhance civil
discussion and public engagement on the issue. This research
shows the importance of professional media outlets and the
importance of singular voices with broad community and huge
number of followers on social media sites. Conclusions of this
paper are that in presenting novelty it’s essential to avoid
sensationalism (the ground for trivialization and denial) and
publish exhaustive facts, research data and findings. and left the
public to reach their own conclusion. To promote scientifically
grounded stories on climate change and all the other
environmental issues online, engagement of the scientists and
professionals in the field of environmental protection is essential
for delivering trustworthy and scientifically proven information
to the public. Information provided through social media
should, present facts connected to the issues, in a neutral
manner to avoid unwanted strategies of reducing cognitive
dissonance presented in this paper.
Index Terms—Communication procedures and messages,
online communication, semantic and content analysis,
sensationalism
Darijo Čerepinko and Nikola Jozić are with the University North,
University Center Varaždin, Križaničeva 31b, Varaždin, Croatia.
E-mail: nijozic@unin.hr (N.J.)
Lovorka Gotal Dmitrović was with University North, University Center
Varaždin, Križaničeva 31b, Varaždin, Croatia.
E-mail: lgotaldmitrovic@unin.hr (L.G.D.)
*Correspondence: darijo.cerepinko@unin.hr (D.C.)
[PDF]
Cite: Darijo Čerepinko, Lovorka Gotal Dmitrović, and Nikola Jozić, "How to Talk about Climate Change: Network and Content Analysis of Croatian Digital Sources," International Journal of Engineering and Technology vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 127-133, 2023.
