Changes in the Knowledge of Journalism Students Participating in the Climate Journalism Course on the Climate Crisis

Abstract

The climate crisis, which scientists have been trying to explain to people with various warnings, is now showing results worldwide. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, extreme weather events, and the natural disasters that come with them are among the most significant problems. As a crucial tool, climate journalism is responsible for raising awareness about the climate crisis and providing information on ways to combat it. The significance of this role is underscored by the fact that as the level of knowledge of climate journalists on this issue increases, the knowledge of the public will increase. This study is about the climate journalism course in the education program of Erciyes University, Faculty of Communication, Department of Journalism. The study, conducted using a pre-test and post-test design, examines the significant contribution of the climate journalism course to students' knowledge about the climate crisis. According to the study's findings, students' knowledge of the climate crisis increased after taking the course, and their concepts about the climate also varied. After taking the course, students could define the causes and consequences of the climate crisis more accurately. As students' knowledge increased, their concern about the climate crisis increased, highlighting the importance of climate journalism education in increasing public awareness and understanding.