Indian media and ecological issues

The ecological crisis of India, manifesting in the forms of rampant deforestation, pollution, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and several other issues, is rarely acknowledged by the mainstream Indian media. We explain some of the possible reasons behind what we perceive to be this neglect, as well as its implications for the way environmental issues are perceived and for future political action on crucial environmental issues. Stakeholder reporting does not adequately highlight ecological issues; their absence is evident in analytics of trends in news coverage. They are compounded by media ownership structures, corporate interests, and political pressures that inhibit longer-term investigative environmental coverage. It also explores how the limited coverage of environmental issues affects public perception and policymaking and ends with a reflection on social media or independent platforms being able to rescue this situation. These findings drive home the importance of responsible journalism practices and the necessity for policy measures that not only promote a stronger emphasis on ecological issues but also counterbalance media content with respect to ecological interests. Enhancing media independence and building stronger environmental journalism will be crucial first steps towards greater public engagement with India’s environmental challenges.