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Patterns of Type and Content in an Online Policy Controversy4122.5 FindingsIn this section, we answer the research questions a) who are the actors involved on the controversy online debate; b) which types of visuals does each position – pro, anti or neutral – use to support their position? c) Is the position in the debate and the use of type and content of visualisations shifting within one year? d) we ground these findings in the context-specifics of each country and explore possible explanations for the shifts over time.2.5.1 Who is involved in the shale gas controversy in these countries and what do they defend online?In 2018 the URLs of the Mexican web sphere were dominated by proponents of shale gas, such as the – at the time president of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto, governmental departments, and public associations, such as Petróleos Mexicanos, Secretaría de Energía and Asociación Mexicana de Empresas de Hidrocarburos (Amexhi). In 2019, there were fewer proponents on the internet, and those in favour were mostly companies and international organisations that support shale gas exploration. Between 2018 and 2019, Centro Mario Molina was the only actor who shifted position from opponent to neutral. Other remarkable changes were governmental departments’ positions, such as Secretaría de Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales, from neutral to anti-fracking, as well as Agencia de Seguridad, Energía y Ambiente, Petróleos Mexicanos, Secretaría de Energía that changed from pro-fracturing to neutral. As previously mentioned, the outgoing government’s official position (2012-2018) was more pro-fracking, while the incoming government’s initial position was more anti-fracking. A possible explanation for these changes most probably was the government change on December 1st, 2019.The South African online debate included more, and more varied group of actors than in Mexico. Interestingly, there were no shifts in positions between 2018 and 2019. However, many actors from 2018 disappeared from the online debate in 2019 and new actors engaged in the second year, which indicates an ongoing controversy. In addition, this also seems to signal a minor shift from a general favourable online public to a more neutral one. For example, the Department of Science and Technology participated in de online debate in 2018 but disappeared in 2019. A possible explanation is that in 2018 there was a close collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology and the DMR (Department of Mineral Resources) and they both were in favour of hydraulic fracturing. In 2019, the head Efrat.indd 41 19-09-2023 09:47