Environmental journalism; a key to understanding nature….

Environmental journalism is yet to develop as a full-fledged field within journalism. There are a hundred stories waiting to be done but not enough reporters who take the trouble to work on them in depth. 

Environmental issues are front and center for much of the world. Evidence available indicates that environmental concerns have not been given a wider coverage by the media especially in developing countries .The reverse is the case in developed countries.

In Kenya, environmental issues are more visible in form of policy documents with occasional rhetorical policy pronouncements. The media which is supposed to play the informative role is ignorant to educate and popularize the masses on issues concerning the environment.

Media houses tend to regard environmental stories as dry and less lively as opposed to political and human interest stories. Editors also believe that environmental stories are too technical for people to understand therefore they should be given less coverage or no coverage at all, some believe that environmental stories will not  sale the publication , some say environmental stories do not have a readership …… the justification goes on and on…

The media like the public for that matter, have so far, failed to set the environmental agenda consistently. Yet environmental issues are of great concern…issues of life and death. They are issues of sustainability of the earth and the future of human beings.

My urgent concern here is that the media takes the lead in dealing with environmental issues. Journalists should first appreciate and love the environment before writing about it or sending the stories to the masses. They should understand the importance of writing about the environment so that they can change their negative attitude on environmental coverage.

Scholars must research, write and share their findings and opinion with the media so that they can disseminate it to the masses. They should simplify environmental information so that it is easier for the media to disseminate to the masses without jargon.