Chemical Valley: media representations of an inconvenient truth and a comforting lie

This thesis examines media representations of pollution in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley, focusing on how these portrayals impact marginalized communities, particularly the Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Through an ultra-realist lens, this research explores how dominant narratives shape public understanding of environmental harm, maintaining neoliberal ideologies that prioritize industrial interests. Using content analysis of articles from the Sarnia Observer and the Sarnia Journal, key concepts such as fetishistic disavowal, special liberty, and enlightened catastrophism reveal underlying ideologies contributing to environmental injustice. This study also highlights connections between media ownership and the framing of pollution, underscoring how these narratives reinforce existing power structures and limit calls for policy change. Findings suggest that media portrayals in Chemical Valley serve neoliberal capitalist interests, perpetuating environmental inequity. By critically engaging with media narratives, this research aims to inform strategies for environmental justice and advocate for more equitable representation in media discourse.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Criminology

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Rodrigues, Adam

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alvi, Shahid

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1936

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1936