Media and energy research: a bibliometric analysis

Journal Article

2025

Published in: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00919-1

This study's significance is rooted in the media’s pivotal role in shaping public discourse on energy issues, influencing public perception, and potentially impacting political agendas. Through a comprehensive analysis of 3498 studies indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database from 1948 to 2024, this research sought to ascertain the bibliometric indicators within the domain of media and energy literature. The primary objective was to investigate the potential of these indicators to inform and guide the formulation of a prospective research agenda within this interdisciplinary field. The analysis reveals a surge in scholarly interest in the field, particularly over the past decade. The United States emerged as the leading contributor, followed by China, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany. However, the contribution of Arab countries remains relatively modest. The study identifies three primary research directions: communication studies, policy studies, and economic studies. Within these areas, research has focused on a range of topics, including public perception, media framing, energy policy, and climate change. To bridge existing research gaps and inform future research agendas, the study recommends further longitudinal and comparative analyses of public opinion trends, the impact of media on energy policy, and the interplay between energy, climate, and environmental issues.

• Publisher Name: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
• Magazine \ Newspaper: Discover Sustainability