Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

1

Environmental problems and the power of media

Media, Politics and the Environment (CCGL 9012)

Week 1

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

2

Introduction

Miklos Sukosd • Media researcher• Interests in environmental communication and media representation of the environment• Media politics in Europe and China• Media pluralism • MA in Sociology (Harvard University)• PhD in Political Science (Hungarian Academy of Sciences)•Associate Professor at JMSC, HKU

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

3

Topics to discuss in class today

1. Review of course topics (lectures and tutorials) on class blog

2. Review of course requirements on class blog

3. The major environmental problems of the 21st century – intro with visuals

4. The power of media -- intro

5. Selection of movies for the course

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

4

Major environmental problems in the 21st century

Global warming Sweet water shortage Food crisis and population growth Overfishing Deforestation Species extinction Pollution: sea/water, soil, air- Brown, Lester R.  2000.  Challenges of the New Century.  In: State of the World

2000: A Worldwatch Institute Report.  New York: W. W. Norton and Company, pp. 3-21.

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

5

The power of media 1

To provide information: news and facts To provide frames: interpretation (causes)

and evaluation (good-bad) To set agendas: what is important? To effect change among audience/user:

attitude, behavior To educate audience/users: new scientific

findings

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

6

The power of media 2 To represent issues problems, actors To mobilize (activists, supporters, donors) To entertain: movies, tv series To provide forum for discussion To affect public opinion—politicians—policy

making