Clarifying the Elements of Environmental Journalism

Presenting an Appropriate Model for Press (According to Experts in the Field of Environmental Media, Journalists and Environmental Supporters)
Climate change, natural catastrophes and the effect of industrialized societies on nature (environment) have brought the attention of experts to the field of environmental issues and convinced them to use the widespread connections and media to increase the social impact factor. The aim of doing so was to protect the Environmental sources. The need for the press to answer the society’s questions and empowering the potential of directing social powers in a way that will reduce the environmental side effect, led the press to compile a model for the environment and social communications.
Iranian context is not an exception. Emerging environmental issues such as drying wetlands and haze phenomenon have attracted attentions to the importance of the role media plays.
This paper aims to clarify the elements of environmental journalism and present an appropriate model for Iranian press based upon "Media Doctor" theory developed by Wiekbe Rögene.
This study adapts "Political Delphi" and utilizes "Snow Ball" sampling. Using the help provided by 17 experts in the fields of journalism and environment, the researchers conducted deep interviews.
The results reveal that environmental journalism in the Iranian context should be shaped based upon 4 main local elements namely, "having criteria of environmental journalism", "having criteria of general journalism", "having environmental knowledge in one of the environmental sub-fields", and "being familiar with the activities of international organizations and environmental treaties in the world and in Iran."