An Analysis of How Kenya's Print Media Cover Environment Issues. A Case Study of the Nation and the Standard Newpapers of 2009 and 2010

Abstract

Environmental degradation in Kenya and the world at large has reached unimaginable levels. Pollution and deforestation have become a daily occurrence affecting lives of the whole earth population. Apart from interpersonal communication public knowledge of environmental issues is derived from the mass media. The purpose of this research was to analyse and establish how Kenya's mainstream print media, the Daily Nation and The Standard newspapers reported environmental issues in 2009 and 2010.

This was done by analysing the manner in which environmental stories were covered in terms of conservation, degradation the destructions caused by the raging weather patterns, and any other issues that don't fall under the three. The frequency of the coverage and the page placement of the stories were also subjects of study. This research presents a summary of the extensive literature on environment and draws from what other researchers have found out about the extent of the coverage of the same by the said types of media or others in foreign countries.

The research employed quantitative and qualitative methods of study to carry out data collection and analysis of the stories in the newspapers. The findings after the analysis were used to determine the extent of the coverage by the two dailies. The research found that Environmental reporting was fast becoming an important genre of journalism. Whe'reas it may not yet be a regular page one story, the level of environmental awareness within newsrooms continues to rise. Environmental issues just like climate change today hardly go unnoticed by the editors.

The research suggests that journalists take the lead in dealing with environmental questions. The starting point is for them to appreciate these concerns and take them to their readers. This research is an attempt to develop this appreciation of the importance of the environment to the survival of man and the need for all to take the initiative in the conservation and protection of the live sustaining surrounding.