Increasing Challenges and Shrinking Roles of Environmental Journalists in Nepal

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the perceived challenges of environmental journalists in Nepal, examining individual and organizational barriers to effectively covering environmental issues. Based on in-depth interviews with 10 journalists, it highlights the impact of global trends, such as reliance on international news, limited editorial autonomy, and unique challenges faced within the Nepali context. The study reveals how shifts in the media industry and budget constraints impede journalists’ ability to conduct thorough investigations, with implications for the quality and depth of environmental news coverage. Utilizing the hierarchy of influence model, the article critically analyzes these challenges, including the influence of NGOs and INGOs on news content and agendas, which can constrain journalistic independence. The findings suggest a decline in environmental news coverage attributed to time constraints and the transition to online media, further exacerbated by the diminishing role of environmental journalists due to the downsizing of the news media. This research sheds light on the evolving landscape of environmental journalism in Nepal and calls for further exploration into these challenges.