Print Media Representation Of Climate Change: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Environmental News Coverage In Pakistan

Abstract

The present research examines the representation of environmental news in print media, describing the language and rhetorical devices to depict the climate change feature. It employs qualitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis (CDA) tools to investigate news published in the leading Pakistan English newspapers Dawn, The Nation and The Express Tribune of 2022 and 2023. A thorough analysis of the themes concerning framing, discourse, and use of language is expected through the systematic investigation assisted with narrative, thematic analysis, and verbatim CDA. The research identifies the dominant themes. It uncovers a distinct model of climate change reauthorization, including significantly more metaphors, words, and phrases, as well as the primary sense of urgency, responsibility, and possible mitigation measures. It examines the patterns above of discourse that diverge from the extant research on media coverage of the climate crisis, which yields insights into the distinctive situation in Pakistani print media. The comparative analysis of the words and tone proves that the news media is working to create a specific public view and feeling concerning climate change. However, these also have an enduring impact and could act as a guide for media practitioners and policymakers who work for better communications and public engagement about climate change in Pakistan.