ABSTRACT

Scholars agree on the role of media and communication in mitigating climate change. However, the complex and scientific nature of climate change, particularly within a contemporary media setting that includes growing misinformation, has challenged environmental journalists. To better understand these challenges the present study uses the hierarchy of influences model to explore different levels of influence that shape climate content in an under-researched country, Pakistan. Additionally, this study explains reporters’ experiences in dealing with misinformation on climate change, its ability to impact their work, and their perception of using fact-checking tools to counter it. The results, based on 21 interviews with self-identified climate journalists, revealed that, on an individual level, lack of expertise and education influence their coverage of environmental issues. Furthermore, the reporters expressed that following the Western process and model of environmental journalism impacts their routine and climate coverage. Moreover, the journalists claimed that advertisers and corporations significantly influence their news stories on environmental issues. The study also reveals that the journalists believed that there is no widespread climate misinformation in Pakistan, thus reducing the need for fact-checkers. The paper concludes by discussing the findings while providing recommendations for enhanced journalism coverage of climate change in Pakistan.

摘要

学者们同意媒体和传播在减缓气候变化方面的作用。然而，气候变化的复杂性和科学性，尤其是在包含越来越多错误信息的当代媒体环境中，已经对环境记者提出了挑战。为了更好地理解这些挑战，本研究使用影响层次模型来探索影响研究不足的国家巴基斯坦气候内容的不同影响水平。此外，这项研究还解释了记者在处理有关气候变化的错误信息方面的经验、其影响他们工作的能力，以及他们对使用事实核查工具来应对它的看法。根据对自称气候记者的 21 次采访得出的结果显示，在个人层面上，缺乏专业知识和教育影响了他们对环境问题的报道。此外，记者们表示，遵循西方环境新闻的流程和模式会影响他们的日常报道和气候报道。此外，记者们声称，广告商和公司对他们关于环境问题的新闻报道产生了重大影响。该研究还表明，记者认为巴基斯坦没有广泛的气候错误信息，从而减少了对事实核查人员的需求。该论文最后讨论了调查结果，同时为加强巴基斯坦气候变化的新闻报道提供了建议。此外，记者们声称，广告商和公司对他们关于环境问题的新闻报道产生了重大影响。该研究还表明，记者认为巴基斯坦没有广泛的气候错误信息，从而减少了对事实核查人员的需求。该论文最后讨论了调查结果，同时为加强巴基斯坦气候变化的新闻报道提供了建议。此外，记者们声称，广告商和公司对他们关于环境问题的新闻报道产生了重大影响。该研究还表明，记者认为巴基斯坦没有广泛的气候错误信息，从而减少了对事实核查人员的需求。该论文最后讨论了调查结果，同时为加强巴基斯坦气候变化的新闻报道提供了建议。