A case study of public and press reaction to an environmental decision

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Abstract
The interaction between public, press and local government is examined in relation to a controversial decision to pump sewage out to sea. Information flows and the structural characteristics of the political culture are specified. Within this structure the conflict is shown to be initiated by both dissatisfaction with the elected authorities and the emergence of an environmental issue which permitted community mobilization, aggravated by official secrecy and finally resolved by community acceptance of institutional authority following a public meeting. Although ostensibly an environmental issue, press support of the commercial and recreational interests of the dominant group and criticism of official handling of the issue, rather than concern for the marine ecology, was a major factor in the emergence and maintenance of the controversy.

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