ABSTRACT
Ultimately, the assumption, whether explicit or implicit, behind most research into media representations of environmental issues is that these play a role in shaping and influencing public understanding/opinion and political decision-making in society. Perhaps regrettably, concerns about the ‘effects’ or role of the media are often construed in relatively simplistic terms which assume a simple relationship between media coverage and general public belief, attitude and behaviour, while ignoring the diverse chains of influence which characterise the media’s
role and function in society. This problem is by no means unique to ‘environmental issues’ and the media, but in fact has a far longer pedigree in discussions about the media and politics, crime, violence, terrorism, international conflict, race and ethnicity, etc.
