Environmental Pollution and Governance: The Critical Journalism of Haze in China

• In Event: 2251 - Section on Environmental Sociology Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 16. Framing of Environmental Issues

Abstract

This article examines critical environmental reporting of the Chinese smog crisis, also known as the PM2.5 crisis, which are episodes of heavy particulate air pollution. By focusing on the sequence of media attention on PM2.5 standards and metrics, I show how the narrow focus on PM2.5 and air pollution developed into a broader critique of China’s economic development model and of how government makes and carries out policy. I argue that environmental journalists are a key intermediary between the public and government. They are able to show or create links between PM2.5 metrics and broader issues of public health, economic development, political power, social injustice, civic involvement and China’s place in the world. At different stages of the PM2.5 crisis, they were successful at introducing new issues and intensifying public pressure on the authorities to change environmental governance to reduce pollution and improve air quality. The civic agenda of smog governance they put forward has also encouraged the recent development of environmental activism in China. With strong public support, journalists are empowered to address air pollution and hold government officials accountable in ways that are not as possible with respect to other issues.

Author

• Haoyue Cecilia Li, SUNY, Albany