Youth and Environment Media Issues in Malaysia

Achieving and maintaining high levels of awareness and understanding of environment media matters among Malaysian youth is essential if the nation has to succeed in effectively conserving our environment and in producing media literate communities. This paper presents the results of the first ever survey of youth aged sixteen in Malaysia of environment media matters. The survey results clearly illustrate the importance of the youth media literacy agenda in Malaysia today the perceived controversies surrounding Malaysian environment issues and commonly held attitudes towards the role of the media and the role of youth in the protection of our environment. The findings of this survey pose a huge challenge to media organizations who are working to raise awareness of our environment issues. More critically the results of the study present a cause for concern, optimism and the need for inculcating active media participation of youth voices in making decisions for the future.