Media Sentiment on Air Pollution: Seasonal Trends in Relation to PM10 Levels

Stefani Kulebanova, Jana Prodanova (), Aleksandra Dedinec, Trifce Sandev, Desheng Wu and Ljupco Kocarev
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Stefani Kulebanova: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Jana Prodanova: Research Center for Computer Science and Information Technologies, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Aleksandra Dedinec: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Trifce Sandev: Research Center for Computer Science and Information Technologies, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Ljupco Kocarev: Research Center for Computer Science and Information Technologies, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: Air pollution remains a major public health concern globally, especially in the Western Balkan countries facing severe air quality problems. This study investigates the relationship between air quality, news media sentiment, and public discourse in Macedonia over a ten-year period (2014–2023). We employed sentiment analysis to examine the emotional tone of news coverage related to air pollution, and topic modeling to uncover recurring themes within news articles. Our analysis revealed a distinct seasonal pattern, with negative media sentiments peaking during winter months when PM10 levels were the highest. This finding aligns with the increased reliance on polluting fuels for winter heating. Interestingly, despite a stable number of neutral articles, a rise in positive-sentiment articles suggests a potential decrease in pollution levels or the effectiveness of new government policies. We identified recurring topics like air quality concerns in specific cities, public unease regarding factories, and ongoing scrutiny of government policies. Emerging topics included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air quality, public discourse surrounding heating practices, and growing concerns about waste management. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between air pollution data, public discourse, and media framing, offering valuable insights for policymakers and media outlets in Macedonia.

Keywords: air pollution; Western Balkans; news media; sentiment analysis; topic modeling; PM10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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