Portraying the Water Crisis in Iranian Newspapers: An Approach Using Structure Query Language (SQL)

Farshad Amiraslani,Deirdre Dragovich

doi:10.3390/w13060838

Abstract

Water is a valuable resource for which demand often exceeds supply in dry climates. Managing limited water resources becomes increasingly difficult in circumstances of recurring drought, rising populations, rapid urbanisation, industrial development, and financial constraints, such as occur in Iran. Newspapers both report on and influence people’s understanding of water-related issues. An analysis was undertaken of two major Iranian daily newspapers over a 7-year period. Structure Query Language (SQL) was employed to identify relationships among a total of 1275 records/fields which were extracted from 84 water-related news items. They were analysed for message, contributor, spatiality and allocated space. Of the water-related items, wetlands comprised 33% (class), public awareness 54% (message), local level 56% (spatiality), and authorities 53% (contributor). Space allocation on each page was mostly <40% (94% of items). Four examples were highlighted of ambitious engineering projects adopted in response to water distribution issues. It is concluded that the general lack of educating messages about water use efficiency in rural areas and water consumption in cities does not assist in developing positive water-saving local behaviours. Newspapers could be a useful tool in a broader strategy for addressing and managing the demand side of the water crisis in Iran.

Highlights

Water challenges, including water quantity and quality, have been well documented in the past, including the most recent comprehensive global report [1]
Wetlands occupied 33% of all water-related articles published in newspapers, followed by dams (14%) and water table (10%)
In order to elaborate on a sample of news items at varying spatial scales, we focus on four examples each of which reflects a decline in water resources

Summary

Introduction

Water challenges, including water quantity and quality, have been well documented in the past, including the most recent comprehensive global report [1] These documents have portrayed national, regional, and international dimensions in relation to the political, economic, and ecological aspects of water resources across the world. The UN defines water scarcity as ‘the point at which the aggregate impact of all users impinges on the supply or quality of water under prevailing institutional arrangements to the extent that the demand by all sectors, including the environment, cannot be satisfied fully.’ [3] This altered water availability in drylands is largely climate-controlled through low rainfall and recurring periods of frequently prolonged droughts, scarcity may arise from social or economic demands and expectations [4]. The success or otherwise of the media in its educating role is likely to influence the overall perception of the public towards water availability in their region or country

Results

Discussion

Conclusion