An Assessment of the Contribution of Nation Media Group in Enviromental Conservation: the Case of Karura Forest
Abstract
There is an increasing worry about climate change globally and its threat on food security especially in the developing countries. Climate change has come about largely due to human activities that harm the environment particularly the destruction of water catchment areas. The effects are enormous - there have been more floods, shortage of food, electricity and recurrent droughts leading to serious humanitarian challenges.
The environment is a very critical area in our lives today and the urgent steps we take to protect it will reap great benefits for the generations to come as well. Therefore, in addressing the reasons for the deterioration of the environment, we will be bearing in the mind the need to safeguard our future and that of generations to come. This implies that countries and corporate organisations must integrate interventions that aim at improving the lives of people through protection of the environment, alongside their business interests.
The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the contribution of Nation Media Group in environmental conservation, the case of Karura Forest. Any activities that the Nation Media Group engages in to safeguard Karura Forest and directly targeting communities living adjacent to it was the focus of this study. To achieve the objectives, the study takes a combination of both qualitative and quantitative dimension, and employing various methods of data collection namely administering a questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation.
The sample size for the questionnaire was 60 drawn from people living near the forest. Both purposive and stratified sampling was employed in selecting the respondents. Key informants were interviewed face-to-face. Two focus group discussions were held each comprising of eight members. Data was analysed using simple graphs, bar charts, pie charts and tables to show frequency distribution of the variables. For qualitative data, emerging topics and issues were discussed further. The major finding of the study was that to some extent Nation Media Group had succeeded in creating awareness on environmental conservation. However, other stakeholders were of great influence too.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya