Environmental Journalism in Brazil: History, Characteristics, and Framing of Disasters

Abstract

This chapter describes the characteristics of environmental reporting in Brazil through a historical overview and an analysis of news coverage of the worst environmental tragedy in the country’s history: the 2015 Mariana dam collapse, which resulted in the death of 19 people and destroyed over five square miles of vegetation and wildlife along the Rio Doce estuary. The key characteristics of environmental coverage in the country are outlined: a focus on disasters, episodic coverage, reliance on official sources, and an emphasis on nature as an instrument for human ends. We found that episodic coverage was predominant and stories emphasized the human side of the tragedy, with very few articles even mentioning environmental concerns. These stories were not put in the context of bigger issues related to the mining industry or long-term environmental or societal impacts. Recommendations for the improvement of environmental journalism in the country are offered.