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.
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