The Role Of Elecronic Media In Creating Environmental Awareness: A Case Study Of Kampala City

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the electronic media in the creation of

environmental awareness. The study was done in Kampala city in Uganda. The study objectives

were; to identify the role of media on environmental awareness, to find out factors exacerbating

environmental problems and to determine the challenges faced by the media in creating

environmental awareness in Uganda.

The study adopted quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The study involved 90 male and

female who responded to a questionnaire that was. Questions that were asked generated

demographic information about the participants, participants marital status and knowledge about

the roles media on creating environmental awareness.

Media helps the people and civil society group to raise the issues and keep people aware. Factors

that exacerbate environmental problems were rapid population growth, massive land

degradation, wide spread poverty, rainfall dependent economy, lack of adequate policy measure

and lack of awareness are believed to complicate the problem of mitigating the impact of

environmental change. However, scarcity of information, lack of editorial support, ignorance and

misunderstanding of environment issues on the community, pressure from industry and

environmental groups and lack of skill and training were some of the challenges of

environmental reporting

The study concluded that the media has a big role to play in making people aware of

environment issues and taking actions to protect the environment. Media channels operate with

the support of many factors. It can be argued that the majority of citizens in Uganda learn about

environmental issues, beyond their immediate surroundings, through the media.

The study recommended that environmental media programs should be transmitted at suitable

times and the experiences of successful farmers in natural resources conservation and

development should be shared. Attention should also be given to identification of awareness obstacles and training and sensitizing ofjournalists on environment tissues.