Read More: Media Apathy

A 2019 publication from the Environmental Protection Agency found that climate change only accounted for 2-4% of all news in main national titles. Under 7% of news articles portrayed climate change as offering a chance for positive change, with only 14% of articles on climate change presented it as real and requiring urgent action. Despite climate breakdown being an existential threat, the sole science correspondence for our national broadcaster RTE, was assigned exclusively to COVID-19 reporting for 18 months. While not diminishing the need for continuous coverage of the pandemic, the fact that the climate emergency deemed an afterthought for much of 2020 and 2021, the start of a decade when greenhouse gas emissions must be halved to avoid complete catastrophe, this is short sighted and unacceptable. Climate change and biodiversity loss should be headline news every day.

Ireland’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions, one of the highest in the world, is rarely addressed while there is often a complete reverence shown to the Irish Agricultural sector will little focus on it being the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions nationally. Again the influence of the powerful agri lobby groups, often part sponsors of prime time media slots, are a major factor in how national media outlets shape the narrative, pedal falsehoods in the name of ‘balance’ and present Ireland as a ‘green nation’ with thriving biodiversity despite clear evidence to the contrary.

It should be noted that there are some exceptions such as EcoEye and The Last Word on Climate, in addition to excellent independent environmental journalists who provide us with a wealth of timely, nuanced content. However, it is clear that there is much work to do - from retraining of correspondents to fact checking statement and addressing conflicts of interests in sponsorship revenues - before the climate crisis is given the continuous, urgent attention it requires by our public broadcasters.

Further Reading:

Research 300: Climate Change in Irish Media: https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/climate-change/research-300-climate-change-in-irish-media.php

Irish coverage of climate change low by EU standards: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/irish-coverage-of-climate-change-low-by-eu-standards-study-says-1.4096687

Irish Farmers Journal to sponsor RTÉ Radio 1’s Countrywide: https://about.rte.ie/2020/10/15/irish-farmers-journal-to-sponsor-rte-radio-1s-countrywide/