Transcript Grocott’s Mail - Rhodes University
Grocott’s Mail
Policy for reporting on issues regarding the ENVIRONMENT
Research Group
Nicola Kane Lindsay du Plessis Jacqueline van Staden Wilma den Hartigh Stephan Buchanan
Research Aims
To provide a clear definition of what the broad term “environment” means when put in the context of reporting on it.
To provide a background of existing industry policies from which to work and build on.
To provide theoretical reasoning that clearly backs up the proposed policies.
Research Aims
To provide a wide range of Grahamstown public opinion regarding reporting on environmental issues.
To provide clear, practical and functional proposals for environmental policy that can be built upon in the future.
Research Methods
Qualitative research Open-ended questions One-on-one interviews Internet sourcing
Interviews
Our interviews were STRUCTURED and UNSTRUCTURED where we asked more general things about :
Any previous experiences with Grocott’s Mail reporting/not reporting on aspects of their work Sorts of environmental issues they felt were worth convering.
In what ways it would be beneficial to report more on environmental issues.
Questions
The questions we asked:
What are their (the person interviewed) responsibilities i.e. In their department in terms of the environment?
What aspects of their work needs more coverage?
What kinds of projects are they involved in that relates to the environment?
Areas encompassed by the term ‘environment’
Fauna and Flora Water Pollution Air Pollution Conservation
Areas encompassed by the term ‘environment’
Commercial Policy Environmental Institutes Research
Areas encompassed by the term ‘environment’
Agriculture Game Farms Rhodes Environmental Activity
Existing Industry Policy
Grocott’s currently does not have a policy.
Very few actual policies.
Society of Environmental Journalists: To encourage addition or expansion of environmental reporting positions within broadcast, print, etc.
To stimulate more and better coverage of a range of critically important environmental issues.
To increase use of information resources, training, and educational events that are already available to journalists and editors who may be covering the environment.
Theoretical Background
“Environmental reporting will gain new significance as the impact of stresses on the planet’s resources, in particular fresh water and climate, become more evident. In national and global efforts to mitigate the impact of this, and to develop responses in policy as well as lifestyle, the news media may find itself in a new and unfamiliar role” – Environmental Reporting: Green Ink
Theoretical Background
"Many researchers and environmental experts bombard journalists with a series of facts and statistics and fail to assemble effective media packs." - Singy Hanyona.
"There is need to establish a linkage for the media and environmental experts and scientists to enhance information availability." - Bwalya Nondo.
Public Opinion
Sean Haydock, owner and founder of Grahamstown Recycling: Issues of waste removal, including sewage and refuse dumping.
Recycling Entrepreneurial and community activities.
Positive and success stories.
An environment page.
Empower readers through information.
Public Opinion
Johann Esterhuizen – Head of Department: Environmental Health, Makana Municipality Stray animals Cattle and the spread of diseases (problem in township where people keep their cattle close to their residences in the fear of stock theft).
General: potential health risks caused by things like illegal dumping, inadequate waste management etc.
Department would like more exposure.
Public Opinion
Kevin Budge – Assistant Director: Parks and Recreation, Makana Municipality Conservation of the environment (not just outside, but in town).
Progress reports on major projects, e.g. “Albany Working for Water”.
Areas of concern: Encroachment of alien vegetation.
Animals encroaching on town.
Public Opinion
Greening programmes and the rationale behind them: Importance of using a good environment to attract tourism.
Amenities for recreation.
Greening of city
“A good environment is important for good quality of life”
Youth programmes Crimes against the environment and law enforcement.
About Policy
The proposed policies were devised by Journalism 3 students completing a Media Policy course during October 2003.
It is expected that the policies will be used by all staff working for the Grocott’s Mail.
The policies have been devised to be as practical and easy to implement as possible.
Policy Proposals
Need for more balanced view of Municipality’s work concerning the environment: Grocott’s should be careful not to report only on failures, but also successes.
“Success stories” can often be found in ongoing projects, many of which have a strong social development, youth and/or educational ethos.
Policy Proposals
Reporting on the environment is currently adequate in some areas, e.g. covering Arbour Week or dealing with Botanical Gardens, but some specific areas need more attention:
Policy Proposals
The benefits of maintaining a green Grahamstown: for tourism as well as general “quality of life”.
The importance of Environmental Health: stray animals, diseases, waste management.
The strong link between the environment and social development/poverty alleviation opportunities.
Policy Proposal
Reporting on the environment should be guided by a sense that: The environment is important for everyone’s quality of life.
The environment is about people and not just plants and animals.
Communicating about the environment is essential to facilitating constructive solutions to various challenges and problems.
Monitoring
Third year Journalism students to access and change (where necessary) the policies on a yearly basis as part of their Media Policy course.
The Advisory Board may also choose to access the policies and their practicality.
Success will be measured by any increase in the amount of coverage that is given to the environment.
Implementation
Implementation overseen by editor.
Students working for Grocott’s will be taught the policies as part of their course.
Lecturers to ensure that students adhere to policies.
Clear and accessible copies of policies to be kept in the Grocott’s offices.