The article "Fracking in the Polish press: Geopolitics and national identity" (Energy Policy, Volume 74, November 2014) presents the results of a thematic content analysis of articles reporting on shale gas/fracking published in Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, two leading Polish newspapers, from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. 

Findings suggest that in media reporting the geopolitical dimension of fracking overrides the technological/scientific dimension and that representations are overwhelmingly positive. Positive representations are bolstered through particular linguistic framings. It is argued that the Polish press has polarized the debate on fracking in a particular (positive) direction, and, thus, may silence open and constructive discussion of the technology and its implications for Polish society. 

In their conclusions, the authors call for a responsible and inclusive debate of the technology with both the benefits and the risks openly and actively outlined and discussed by various stakeholders. All of the potential scenarios – both positive and negative – need to be debated. Policy should be developed within a context of transparency and critical debate involving multiple actors—scientists, politicians, companies, academics and, perhaps most importantly, communities.

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