Bengaluru: (July 17) The role of the media is huge in communicating environmental changes to the public. What is happening at the government level. What decisions are being taken and why they are being taken can be communicated directly to the public through the media, said Shashwati Mishra, head of “EMPRI” and Additional Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance wing).
The “Environmental Management and Policy Making Institute” functioning under the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department of the Government of Karnataka organized a workshop for journalists. She spoke at the concluding ceremony of the workshop “Creating Climate Narratives; Sustainable Development and Responsible Journalism”.
What journalists respond to is very important. Then basic knowledge about the subject is necessary. For example, a lot of people write about wildlife. In recent years, human-wildlife conflict has increased a lot. It is advisable to know scientific information while writing all this. Otherwise, it is very difficult to have a balanced view, asserted Shashwati Mishra.
The role of the government is not the only one that is important in improving the environmental conditions; everyone has a role to play. Students, teachers, parents and the media all have a role to play. Only if everyone plays their respective roles can a better society be built, said Additional Chief Conservator of Forests (Jagruta Dal) Shashwati Mishra.
“News has become a commodity. Newspapers have become news malls. You have to read, take and pay for them. Everyone knows what journalism is like today. Journalists are not irresponsible; journalists are responsible but journalism is not” said senior journalist N. S. Shankar.
As journalists, we have lost the sense of how to respond to the events around us. For example, the Yettinahole project. Have we studied what will happen? The Mekedatu project is a political issue, but what are the consequences of it? It is sad to say that we are illiterate about the effects on the environment and humans, he said.
Currently, illiterate journalism is practiced. If global warming increases, everyone will feel its heat. Journalists will also be harmed. Considering that all these are issues that affect the common people, there is a need for journalists to respond from that dimension. He said he would like to thank this workshop on the environment that creates such awareness.
On this occasion, certificates were distributed to journalists who came from different districts of Karnataka and participated in the three-day workshop. Environmental expert V.J. Jagannath, Director of the “Environmental Management and Policy Institute” (EMPI) Dr. Pramod Katti were present. EMPI Director T. Mahesh welcomed.
