By: Batir Wardam

Of all media categories, whether political, economic, social, artist or sports, the environmental media in the Arab world does not have its own identity and features. Any media identity requires several characteristics, such as the presence of its own media institutions, of professionalism and specialization, of knowledge about the issues it covers and, finally, the presence of a well-trained network of journalists aware and dedicated to the issue. All these components are not available in environmental media in the Arab World.

The problems of environmental media in Arab countries are directly linked to the difficulties facing the scientific media in general. Science and technology media is not considered an integral component of national media despite the well known fact that science is the driving force of all global developments anticipated in the future. Media on science and environment in Arab countries is restricted to fragmented national and international news items spread over any pages in Arabic newspapers, especially the last pages covering “entertainment” and light news from global news agencies.

The current state of environmental media in Arab countries is disappointing. Except for few newspapers in the Gulf countries and Egypt, Arabic dailies have no stable and mature environmental pages that have a content beyond public relations of its editors. Most environmental coverage of daily Arabic newspapers is fragmented, spread all over other pages, with no systematic organization.

However, the total space and amount of environmental material published by Arabic dailies covers more than one daily page. Both radio and TV programmes are devoid of environmental coverage except in few cases. As for electronic media, only three or four blogs and news services are specialized in environment, while other news portals have occasional environmental coverage mainly from global news agencies. Some pan-Arab and national environmental magazine are published frequently, with the Lebanese monthly Al Bee'a Wal- Tanmiyah (environment & development) being the most successful.

The main problems facing environmental media in Arab countries can be divided into general problems, linked to the media sector itself, and some specific obstacles, related to environmental media.

Among the general media problems are:

1. Lack of a strategic media vision in most media institutes, with the event itself dictating the activity rather than having proactive strategic objectives. Environmental concerns are not among the priorities of media coverage.

2. Weak professionals and specialists for environmental media personnel in general.

3. Weak command of the English language, and English is the dominant technical language.

4. The high costs of publishing newspapers makes it financially risky to issue specialised publications and puts environment in a lower priority list for competing on limited number of pages.

5. Governmental control over most public media institutes and the resulting trends towards producing propaganda material rather than critical coverage.

6. Lack of modern media legislation that permits journalists access to updated and detailed data and the need to use public relations, which will result in a biased presentation of information.

7. Weak investigative journalism in general, compared to easy and fast descriptive coverage that lacks analysis and critique.

Some other problems associated with environmental media in specific are:

1. Difficulty in defining the identity of an environmental journalist among professional journalists who lack proper knowledge in environmental issues, and environmentalists who lack basic journalism skills.

2. Weak media roles among environmental NGOs and inefficient so-called environmental media NGOs which have never exerted a noticeable effect on enhancing the sustainable functioning of environmental media.

3. Lack of interest, among media decision makers, in environmental issues and in labelling it as a low-priority topic in terms of media coverage.

4. Lack of incentives among environmental journalists, since most of those who cover environmental issues are considered second-rate journalists, compared to those who cover politics, economics or even sports and art.

5. Lack of an educated assessment of the of the readers' needs and preferences. The theoretical view of weak interest in environmental media by readers has not been scientifically validated.

6. Difficulties facing journalists in simplifying environmental technical issues and presenting them in an appealing and easy-to-grasp manner for general readers without losing the credibility of information presented.

7. Weakness in utilising modern information technology tools which provide a rich source of environmental information for journalists.

To upgrade the professionalism and effectiveness of environmental media in Arab countries, a complete shift of media mentality should occur towards a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of environmental issues.

Some major pioneering activities have to be initiated among several stakeholders, especially the journalists' association and daily newspapers, to streamline the environmental media work.

Special training initiatives must be conducted to raise the professionalism of environmental journalists and provide some career incentives. The most important awareness targets should be editors in chief and publishers of newspapers who must take into consideration the importance of providing a continuous, high level environmental media service for their readers.

Such a service will not be difficult to achieve provided a clear commitment has been established. There is abundance of environmental material to be covered and the increasing importance of environmental issues in everyday life activities and concerns and the increased interest of the public in environmental issues provides for a large target to be addressed.

It is not a luxury nor over-optimism to ask that a daily environmental page be established in several daily newspaper and a weekly TV and radio programme be produced in the mainstream satellite TV, as well as a dedicated Internet sites and active environmental media NGOs to take responsibility for upgrading the environmental media sector in Arab countries.