Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies
The influence of the zoological park industry on public compassion remains an understudied area that is pivotal to understanding how public relations—specifically persuasive communication—attempts to shape public consent regarding the use of animals in entertainment. This paper addresses this issue...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1464190/full |
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| author | Olatz Aranceta-Reboredo Núria Almiron |
| author_facet | Olatz Aranceta-Reboredo Núria Almiron |
| author_sort | Olatz Aranceta-Reboredo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The influence of the zoological park industry on public compassion remains an understudied area that is pivotal to understanding how public relations—specifically persuasive communication—attempts to shape public consent regarding the use of animals in entertainment. This paper addresses this issue by conducting a critical discourse analysis of the main interest groups in Spain’s zoological park industry: AIZA, Grupo Parques Reunidos, and Loro Parque Fundación. The results show that despite these actors’ compassionate self-representations, they use objectifying language, biological hierarchization, and commodification to represent nonhuman animals. In particular, they portray themselves as “advocates” for animal welfare and legitimize their efforts through a process akin to ethics washing. They use thematic elements and emotional engagement to convey the concept of the “modern zoo.” Finally, they strategically acknowledge societal compassion and frame themselves as aligned with current societal values and attitudes. We conclude that the current discursive strategies of the main Spanish zoological park industry lobbies go beyond the typical arguments related to entertainment, science and conservation, instrumentalizing public compassion to justify the captivity, confinement and exhibition of nonhumans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9a2a1c8c1e5e4f67a73a0675643dda91 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2297-900X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-9a2a1c8c1e5e4f67a73a0675643dda912025-08-20T02:30:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Communication2297-900X2024-12-01910.3389/fcomm.2024.14641901464190Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbiesOlatz Aranceta-ReboredoNúria AlmironThe influence of the zoological park industry on public compassion remains an understudied area that is pivotal to understanding how public relations—specifically persuasive communication—attempts to shape public consent regarding the use of animals in entertainment. This paper addresses this issue by conducting a critical discourse analysis of the main interest groups in Spain’s zoological park industry: AIZA, Grupo Parques Reunidos, and Loro Parque Fundación. The results show that despite these actors’ compassionate self-representations, they use objectifying language, biological hierarchization, and commodification to represent nonhuman animals. In particular, they portray themselves as “advocates” for animal welfare and legitimize their efforts through a process akin to ethics washing. They use thematic elements and emotional engagement to convey the concept of the “modern zoo.” Finally, they strategically acknowledge societal compassion and frame themselves as aligned with current societal values and attitudes. We conclude that the current discursive strategies of the main Spanish zoological park industry lobbies go beyond the typical arguments related to entertainment, science and conservation, instrumentalizing public compassion to justify the captivity, confinement and exhibition of nonhumans.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1464190/fullpersuasive communicationinterest groupslobbyingcritical discourse analysiszoological park industryanimals in captivity |
| spellingShingle | Olatz Aranceta-Reboredo Núria Almiron Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies Frontiers in Communication persuasive communication interest groups lobbying critical discourse analysis zoological park industry animals in captivity |
| title | Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies |
| title_full | Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies |
| title_fullStr | Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies |
| title_short | Commodifying compassion: a critical discourse analysis of Spanish zoo, aquarium and animal theme parks’ lobbies |
| title_sort | commodifying compassion a critical discourse analysis of spanish zoo aquarium and animal theme parks lobbies |
| topic | persuasive communication interest groups lobbying critical discourse analysis zoological park industry animals in captivity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1464190/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT olatzarancetareboredo commodifyingcompassionacriticaldiscourseanalysisofspanishzooaquariumandanimalthemeparkslobbies AT nuriaalmiron commodifyingcompassionacriticaldiscourseanalysisofspanishzooaquariumandanimalthemeparkslobbies |