Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 1 Environmental problems and the power of media Media, Politics, and the Environment CCGL9012 Miklos Sukosd Lecture 1, January 18, 2012

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 2 Topics to discuss in class 1. Overview of the course topics and evaluation 2. The major environmental problems of the 21st century 3. The functions and power of media 4. Selection of environmental documentaries for the semester

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 3 Major environmental problems in the 21st century 1. Population growth 2. Global warming 3. Sweet water shortage, falling water tables 4. Shrinking cropland per person: food crisis 5. Collapsing fisheries -- overfishing 6. Deforestation 7. Species extinction [ + Pollution/contamination: sea/water, soil, air] - Brown, Lester R Challenges of the New Century. In: State of the World 2000: A Worldwatch Institute Report. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, pp

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 4 The power of media 1 To provide information: news and facts To provide frames: interpretation (causes) and evaluation (good-bad) To set agendas: what is important? To effect change among audience/user: media effects on attitude, behavior To educate audience/users: new scientific findings, paradigms

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 5 The power of media 2 To represent issues problems, actors, groups, interest To mobilize (activists, supporters, donors) To entertain: movies, tv series, celebrities/gossip To provide forum for discussion among stakeholders To affect public opinion —politicians—policy making

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong Environmental documentaries We will watch and discuss these critical environmental documentaries during the semester: The Age of the Stupid (2009) Plastic Planet (2009) No Impact Man (2009) The End of the Line (2009) Fuel (2008)