This week, I’ve chosen to take a closer look at the television program 60 minutes Australia, broadcasted on the Nine News Network. In June 2011, 60 minutes aired a segment on their show named “The Coal Seam Gas Land Grab”. The report outlined the harsh realities of the booming industry all over the country. While this segment may be close to 8 months old, I still feel it holds dire relevance to the Coal Seam Gas Issue, as what some have called an epidemic, remains a currently contemporary news issue.
Unlike other news stories and pieces I have analysed, this particular one interviews residents, lawyers fighting the case and fat-cat mining executives trying to justify their reasoning for breaking onto people’s properties in order to mine this hazard gas. The report also reveals the devastating effect this is having on families in communities, and also impacts on health, such as cancer and neurological disorders.
Cases in Queensland of water supplies leaking gas, and wells bursting into flames in America were also being reported on. The program also sheds light on the hydro-fracturing process, which is something I was unaware of up until now in my research. Also known as ‘fracking’, it is a process where water, sand and millions of gallons of toxic chemicals are injected into the earth at high pressure, in order to extract the gas. It is also revealed how mining companies possess all of the power, as government legislation supports them in whatever they choose to do.
Overall the programme addresses the shocking truth about the issue and how little is known about the consequences of the process, in an informative non-bias manner.
References:
60 Minutes Australia, Fracking – The Coal Seam Gas Land Grab, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PELxZ3K2o0c, accessed 21/04/2012
The Internet, An Abyss 