Media and Environment Forum

The Department of Politics, The
Centre for Science Communication and the Political Communication, Policy and Participation Research Cluster at the University of Otago

present

New Zealand Media & Environment Forum
Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum, Dunedin
Friday 6 November 2009

 

Exactly one month before the climate change talks in Copenhagen, this Forum investigates the state of environmental reportage in New Zealand.

The Forum is motivated by a belief that the environment is crucial to New Zealand’s social and economic future and that dialogue between news media professionals and environmental stakeholders is necessary to enhance the quality of public debate and public understanding about environmental issues.

The news media are crucial to our understandings about the environment. They select which environmental issues to present and who gets to speak about those issues. The news media have the challenge of presenting the science, politics, and everyday ramifications of environmental change to the New Zealand public at a time when their own industry is undergoing tremendous change. Those who wish to speak publicly about the environment must engage productively with journalists and editors.

This one-day forum will address key topics through a panel format that will encourage dialogue between panel members and involve audience participation. Panel members will include high-profile politicians, scientists, journalists, activists and academics. Key topics to be discussed include:

  • How should the news media report on the science of climate change?
  • How well does the media perform in its reportage on politics and the environment?
  • What dynamics inform the relationships between journalists and their sources in environmental reportage?
  • What role do the Internet and new media play in environmental politics?
  • How important is reportage about everyday environmental practices?

A draft programme is now available - click here

The New Zealand Media & Environment Forum is jointly sponsored by the Department of Politics, the Centre for Science Communication and the Political Communication, Policy and Participation Research Cluster at the University of Otago. Click here to register.

For further information contact:

Dr Geoffrey Craig
Email geoff.craig@otago.ac.nz;
Telephone: (03) 479 8665.

Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago, New Zealand University of Otago