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Jarrell examines print news media coverage of federal penalties assessed against the petroleum refining industry. While there are many federal petroleum refining industry violations, only a limited number receive media attention. This lack of media coverage suggests that this crime is considered less important despite the harm to the environment and human health produced by petroleum refining industry violations. Lack of attention by the news media may lead to public misunderstanding and ignorance of the causes and consequences of environmental crime. Jarrell suggests that criminologists become more involved in public discourse via the mainstream mass media. In addition, criminologists should endeavor to assist local communities in activist efforts.
E-Book Content
Criminal Justice Recent Scholarship
Edited by Marilyn McShane and Frank P. Williams III
A Series from LFB Scholarly
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Environmental Crime and the Media News Coverage of Petroleum Refining Industry Violations
Melissa L. Jarrell
LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC New York 2007
Copyright © 2007 by LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jarrell, Melissa L. (Melissa Luisa), 1976Environmental crime and the media : news coverage of petroleum refining industry violations / Melissa L. Jarrell. p. cm. -- (Criminal justice recent scholarship) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-59332-205-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-59332-205-4 (alk. paper) 1. Petroleum industry and trade--Press coverage--United States. 2. Offenses against the environment--Press coverage--United States. I. Title. PN4888.P47J37 2007 070.4'4936414--dc22 2006102798
ISBN-10 1593322054 ISBN-13 9781593322052 Printed on acid-free 250-year-life paper. Manufactured in the United States of America.
Table of Contents Chapter One Environmental Crime
1
Chapter Two The Mainstream Mass Media
17
Chapter Three The Mainstream Mass Media and Crime
23
Chapter Four The Petroleum Refining Industry
41
Chapter Five Data and Methods
49
Chapter Six Results
59
Chapter Seven Discussion
97
Chapter Eight Conclusions
123
Appendix
141
References
143
Index
159
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Acknowledgements In loving memory of my grandfather, Millard Jarrell and to my wonderful Nana, Betty Jarrell, for providing financial and emotional support throughout my cherished life. Dad, thank you for everything; I love you more than words can say. Mom, you have always been an inspiration to me. You have unselfishly given your time and energy to the dying, the sick, and the homeless. I champion the downtrodden because you taught me to help those less fortunate than us. To Mike Lynch, my mentor and major professor. Your achievements are remarkable. I consider myself lucky to have learned from you. To Danielle, my long-distance partner in crime and to Katie, my dearest friend and soul mate. To Matilde Marines, for her unending patience and support. Thank you!
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CHAPTER 1
Environmental Crime
INTRODUCTION Environmental crime is considered to be one type of white-collar or corporate crime (Burns and Lynch, 2004). The government, the media, and the public rarely conceptualize environmental harm and injustice as “crime” despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Chapter One provides an overview of environmentalism in the United States; describes the nature and impact of environmental crime; explores the causes and consequences of environmental crime and injustice in terms