Media representations of "sustainable development" - Sustaining the statusquo?

How is the concept of sustainable development represented in major U.S. new spapers? Are academic and activists' critiques part of the media message ? Using a systematic qualitative analysis, the author examines the themes and sources of newspaper articles from 1987 to 1997. Sustainable development i s presented almost exclusively within an economic growth paradigm that assu mes that economic growth, technology and northern expertise are the most ef fective way to achieve development. The activists and academics that are us ed as sources do not present alternatives to the dominant development disco urse. Instead, the few alternatives that are presented are by the authors o f commentaries who are not identified with environmental activist groups.