The Evolution of Environmental Journalism LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction As previously noted, the journalism industry plays a crucial role in informing the public about the ongoing climate crisis. The purpose of the literature review is to examine how environmental journalism has shaped public opinion since its emergence in the 1960s. By analyzing existing literature, the review aims to identify emerging trends in climate journalism, including potential shifts and framing and increased polarization of the issue. The literature review will also explore the factors that have influenced the evolution of environmental journalism over time and seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the history and current state of environmental journalism. This literature review will focus on three main topic areas: an overview of expectations for balance, objectivity, and framing in U.S. news media; the evolution of environmental journalism and its political transformation; and an overview of how environmental journalism shapes public opinion about the climate crisis. The opening section lays the foundation of the ethical standards that journalists are required to adhere to as part of their commitment to the journalism industry. It also addresses the original intent of journalistic objectivity and the significance of journalistic framing in shaping public opinion and recognizes the common biases that occur despite the longstanding expectations of balance and fairness. The second section explores the evolution of the modern environmentalist movement, which began in the 1960s with the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. It highlights how the fossil fuel industry changed the narrative of the climate crisis from science to politics after climate experts, permanently altering the public’s perception of the issue.
6