Media Portrayal of Environmental Risk Essay -- essays research papers

Media Portrayal of Environmental Risk Dissemination or fabrication? Transmission of ideas and culture through media avenues uniform television and the press atomic number 18 the predominant means by which much of contemporary culture and the certain world obtain vital culture. The media has an enormous impact on the macrocosms conceptualization of ideals societal perceptions are shaped by the information made available to us through the different venues of media. Examining how the transmittal of information regarding environmental try is disseminated by the media and accepted by society exposes an unequivocal quandary. The media repeatedly broadcasts data that instead of informing people with beneficial give-and-take adversely invokes situations of tumult and unnecessary fear. Ramifications of the fictitious diffusion of information close environmental insecuritys, or non-risks, to society include more than just the proliferation of misinformation. Circulation of illic it environmental risk data has injurious effects on businesses, intentness and economy. Misinforming people about environmental risk undermines policies and government actions that are base on media hype or contentious scientific information. Abating the worryatic and detrimental tendency of media misconstruing information about environmental risks will require a multifaceted collaboration between the media, the public, government and the scientific community.A problem complicating environmental policy and risk reporting is largely attributable to media players, politicians and scientists overstepping their boundaries into realms they are not qualified to operate in. Scientists must avoid getting involved in the environmental policy debate. Conversely, politicians must not attempt to fountain on scientifically sensitive issues as if they are scientists. Risk is outlined as the severity of the consequences of an accident or a hazard like a toxin multiplied by the probability of its occurrence. Risks will exist indefinitely however we attempt to reduce risk by either reduce the probability or severity of the hazard. (Bahr, 1997) People must learn, including the media, to balance the risks and and then steer a safe course through the potential minefield cognise as life. The process by which people perceive risk is dependent on what knowledge they attain and what information is made available. (Neely, 1994) olibanum th... ...sic information of Poisons (pp. 75-88). New York, NY McGraw-HillFriedman, S. (1996). The Media, Risk Assessment and Numbers They dont Add Up. RISK Health, Safety & Environment, Franklin Pierce Law Center. Retrieved March 20, 2005 from http//www.piercelaw.edu/risk/vol5/summer/friedman.htmGough, M. Which Environmental Risks Are Worth Addressing? Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. Speech. Cato Institute. 22 November, (1996). Retrieved April 18, 2005 from http//www.cato.org/speeches/sp-mg112296.htmlNeely, W. B., (1994). Intr oduction to Chemical Exposure and Risk Assessment. Boca Raton CRC Press LLCRosenbaum, W. (2005). Environmental authorities and Policy. Washington DC CQ PressSalvato, J. A., (1992). Environmental Engineering and Sanitation (EnvironmentalScience and Technology). Canada John Wiley & SonsSociety of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. (1996) Retrieved April 12, 2005, from http//www.spj.org/ethics_code.aspTimes Schneider Resigns provide Be Michigan Land Use Advocate. (1995, May)Environment Writer, 7 (2) Retrieved on April 19, 2005, from http//www.nsc.org/ehc/ew/issues/ew95may.htmschneider