Newspaper coverage of environmental issues in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Urbanization industrialization and overpopulation have resulted in environmental degradation Consumption patterns of people are also responsible for it The survival of living beings will be at stake if steps are not taken to conserve the earth A safe environment is needed for a healthy living Print media play an advocacy role with regard to the environment They act as a bridge between the government and the public This study examines the news coverage of environmental issues in print media Five major daily newspapers of Tamil Nadu The Times of India The Hindu Dina Thanthi Dinamalar and Dinamani were analyzed during the calendar years 2014 and 2015 using content analysis and frame analysis The newspapers were chosen based on the criteria of circulation and credibility A mixed methods approach has been employed in this research Frame analysis is used both as a theory and method Content analysis is used as a method For frame analysis the following frames 1 governmental responsibility 2 human interest 3 conflict and 4 ethical were used to study the environmental news items In depth interviews were conducted with the various journalists and experts to understand the influences in the environmental reporting newline