Media prioritizes coverage of energy project achievements or company commitments to energy transition from the sources’ perspective
Mainstream media coverage of energy transition currently remains predominantly elitist. Media content is largely dominated by elite actors’ perspectives, resulting in public discourse becoming more exclusive and elite-oriented.
Remotivi Executive Director Yovantra Arief explains that media coverage of the climate crisis should focus on demanding accountability from those in power and amplifying silenced voices. This includes inspiring change and helping audiences understand the issues at hand.
“Media can shape awareness, foster social interaction to trigger engagement, and influence policy preferences. Climate and environmental issues also shape citizens’ political attitudes,” he said in Jakarta, as quoted on Saturday (11/30/2024).
Yovantra explains that elite discourse in media coverage primarily accommodates corporate and government elites. In his view, this indicates that media has lost its critical perspective on energy transition issues.
Based on Yovantra’s research, media coverage tends to resemble public relations content. Reports typically discuss government and private/state-owned company performance, covering aspects such as successful collaborations, funding, and investment achievements.
“Media also prioritizes coverage of energy project achievements or company commitments to energy transition from the sources’ perspective,” he explained.
This condition has led to diminishing citizen voices in news coverage. While energy transition is vital in responding to the climate crisis, he maintains that it must still be approached critically to ensure proper implementation.
“Media must examine the impacts of energy transition and highlight weaknesses in existing policies. Unfortunately, this rarely happens,” he clarified.
Therefore, Yovantra believes that participation based on partial information is inherently anti-democratic. This is because climate action mobilization is still based on incomplete knowledge.
“Relying solely on elite narratives without considering impacts on citizens will create false participation and weaken democracy,” he explained.
Yovantra recommends that mainstream media adopt a communication approach when covering conservation. This means not just writing, but providing comprehensive explanations, as policies must align with field experiences.
“Most audiences hold conservative values. To make people understand, you need to understand even better,” he concluded.
- How is the development of the equitable energy transition program in Indonesia?
JETP funds will target equitable energy transition projects in a number of developing countries, one of which is Indonesia. - Samirono village energy transformation, from waste to clean energySamirono village has proven that innovation and collaboration can bring big changes. They showed the world that waste can be turned into clean energy.
- Alternative energy from Sumedang tofu waste, between innovation and sustainabilitySumedang tofu is not only savory and delicious, but there is a waste problem that pollutes the environment. In Giriharja Village, tofu waste is processed into alternative energy.
- BPA labeling protects consumers, not business competitionBPKN believes the mandatory BPA labeling policy for polycarbonate gallon packaging is not about business competition. The policy, outlined in Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) Regulation Number 6 of 2024
- Learning from Orangutan Wisdom in the Wehea-Kelay Landscape, East KalimantanResearch identified 59 orangutan food plants, with over 50% having medicinal properties
- Indonesia’s Green Energy Transition: JETP Secures $1 Billion for Electrification ProjectsIndonesia’s JETP Progress: $21.6 Billion Green Energy Investment Plan Targets Renewable Power and Job Creation
