Department of Journalism & Mass Communication Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003
Online published on 5 July, 2012.
The present study makes an attempt to find out the use of sources by journalists in the coverage of environmental news in Kerala. The study is based on a survey conducted among the journalists in the state. Data from 162 journalists working in seven newspapers published from four cities in the State were collected to ascertain their perceptions about source use and quality of environmental news coverage in study newspapers. The study found that majority of journalists' perceived citizens as the best source in the coverage of environmental issues. Study also finds that environmental news is event specific and conflict-centric and journalists in the study have not made any specific attempt to go for depth reporting of environmental issues. The study highlights the fact that none of the newspapers in the study have appointed any environmental journalist as in the west to cover environmental issues specifically, and general reporters are assigned the task.
