Perception changes and the attribution of the impact of Lancang-Mekong hydropower dams in the media of riparian countries from 1971 to 2020

Friday, September 6 2024
a) Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
b) Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
c) Yunnan University Institute of the Belt and Road Studies, Laboratory for Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Kunming 650091, China

Reporting in affected countries underwent five stages: positive support but low actual participation in hydropower development (1971–1991), increasing concerns and active participation by most countries (1992–1994), an emerging negative attitude in downstream countries (1995–2008), spreading opposition by downstream countries (2009–2015), and the coexistence of cooperation and conflict (2016–2020). Media reports from upstream countries (i.e., China and Laos) were positive regarding hydropower development; downstream countries opposed hydropower and prioritized the negative impacts of dam construction. International shifts in attitude were dominated by vulnerabilities to extreme weather and affected by major geopolitical events, including local wars, interference from extraterritorial forces, and established regional alliances. This knowledge will strengthen international water use cooperation in light of global climate change and complex geopolitics.

Keyword(s)

Dynamic topic mining, Hydropower development, Lancang-Mekong River, Media reporting, Sentiment analysis, Socioenvironmental controversies

Author(s)

Wenping Yin, Hui Fan

Country(ies)

Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Publisher

Elsevier

Published Date

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101302

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