Slide 1

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Environmental politics and
communication
Media, Politics and the Environment
(CCGL 9012)
March 30, 2011

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Slide 2

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Political system types:
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Democractic states:
 Liberal democracy (Western Europe)
 Majoritarian democracy (Eastern Europe)
 Presidential vs. prime ministerial systems (US vs. UK)
Authoritarian systems:
 Electoral autocracy (Russia, Singapore)
 One-party regimes (China)

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Slide 3

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Fields and key factors in policy
making
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State apparatus as a field of action
Traditional and new media field of
communication
Consumer behavior and public opinion as key
changing factors
International regulation regimes


Slide 4

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Multiple stakeholders
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Government as an actor: environmental legislation,
regulation, implementation
Political parties (national and local levels)
Businesses, corporations, industries (all different
interests: e.g., nuclear, carbon, renewable energy)
NGOs and citizens
International institutions

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Slide 5

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Structural problem areas of
environmental politics
Democratic states:
 Party financing by unsustainable businesses
 Campaign financing (parties and candidates)
 Lobbying of lawmakers
 Corruption at national and local level
 Political expectations (e.g., cheap gas)
 Consumer and cultural habits
 Commercial media (advertising of unsustainable
consumption)
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Slide 6

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Forces of renewal in
democratic states
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Free media, unrestrained agenda setting
Changing public opinion and consumer habits
Green parties and greening of parties
Implementation of environmental legislation
Rule of law (trust in and performance of courts)

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Slide 7

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Structural problem areas of
environmental politics
Authoritarian states:
 Lack of freedom of speech, censorship of media
 Lack of democratic public opinion making
 Lack of rule of law and implementation of environmental
regulation
 Use of force (even violence) against independent voices
 Weak civil society (NGOs)
 Corruption at national and local level
 Political expectations (e.g., cheap gas)
 Consumer and cultural habits: regime legitimization by
economic growth
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Slide 8

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Forces of renewal
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Online media, avoiding state censorship
Changing public opinion and consumer habits
NGOS: support of international NGOs and civil society
Support of international medial
Environmental authoritarianism
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Progressive environmental policy-making
Implementation of environmental legislation
Rule of law (especially in the environmental area)

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Slide 9

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Case study:
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Ruby Yang documentary about environmental pollution and
conflict in China – the Warriors of Qiugang
http://www.warriorsofqiugang.com/

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