Cultural Biases and Media Framing of Environmental Problems

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Environmental issues encompass a variety of social problems that are widely discussed in the US and across the world today. The media plays an important role when it comes to disseminating information about environmental problems. In this discussion, you will examine the role that media plays in framing environmental social problems, including what words are used to talk about the problem, how cultural biases may impact the reporting, and how the media framing influences the public’s response to the social problems. After reviewing the resources listed above please address the following:
What is the difference between climate change and global warming?
Media and public figures often make intentional choices to use one term over the other. What are the political and cultural influences behind these decisions?
What impact does using one term over the other have on society’s perceptions of the social problem?
What are some general trends of media coverage of natural disasters (i.e., what gets covered, how long does the coverage last)?
What are the consequences of the media’s and the public’s short attention span when it comes to natural disasters?
Based on the resources you reviewed, discuss some of the consequences of the media’s framing of natural disasters in its reporting.
Provide an example of how media framing of natural disasters can be culturally biased.
What are the race and class implications of reporting on “looting”?
What consequences does this have on society’s perceptions about certain groups of people?
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=HGEkXQx9dP0
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=CMfo-s9izIc
https://mic(dot)com/articles/184369/heres-whats-really-behind-the-looter-narrative-during-natural-disasters#.fT8spJAWN
https://www(dot)salon(dot)com/2010/04/30/haiti_short_attention_span/
https://www(dot)psychologytoday(dot)com/us/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201709/how-long-does-public-empathy-last-after-natural-disaster

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Cultural Biases and Media Framing of Environmental Problems
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Global warming refers to the increase in the Earth's temperature since the pre-industrial revolution period (between 1850 and 1900). This is due to greenhouse gas emissions, burning of fuels, and change in land use. On the other hand, the climate is the long-term change of the average weather patterns on the Earth's regional and global climates. Human activities have primarily driven these changes. However, the media and public figures often choose words or omissions when discussing the matter. Using certain words makes it easier to abscond responsibility, especially when the general public will ask questions.
Using one term over the other is a tactic used to whitewash something controversial or spread fear. The media is a primary culprit of using certain words to frame them into the required narrative. In the case of climate catastrophes, the media uses words that would otherwise describe an active warzone. In such scenarios, the general public is looking for something to blame, and the press is on hand to direct all the blame to 'mother nature'CITATION Utp17 \l 1033 (Dholakia, 2017). The coverage perpetuates the idea that nature is out of control and people should learn to expect it.
The general media coverage involves the same tricks they use in covering an active warzone by using words such as onslaught and line of fire. There is dramatic footage that shows the massive destruction from helicopter shots, and they even send reports in the middle of the hurricanes to make a more compelling argument. Like in war, the people call out for an enemy and something to blame for the catastrophe. Unfortunately, by blaming mother nature, human nature fails to take responsibility for its part in climate change.
Having such a short span of natural disasters allows peo...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Cultural Biases and Media Framing of Environmental Problems

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