NargisKosimova,
Associate Professor at the Faculty of International Journalism
Uzbek State University of World Languages
The article deals with the presentation of environmental information, the functions of online environmental media in Uzbekistan, the work of a journalist and the problems of access to information in the context of the development of environmental journalism of the republic.
Keywords: environmental risk, eco-journalism, journalist functions, online media, environmental topic, access to information
In an era of aggravating global environmental problems, environmental information increasingly worries the reader. The basis of this alarm is environmental risks, which in recent years in Uzbekistan have only worsened. These include climate change, shortage of irrigation and drinking water, soil degradation, tree cutting in human settlements, air pollution, industrial and household waste, inefficient use of natural resources, landslides and floods, biodiversity conservation, an increase in desert and semi-desert zones.
Currently, the term environmental risk is firmly in the lexicon of journalists of the republic. As according to the definition of the Explanatory Dictionary of Nature Protection: “Ecological risk is the likelihood of negative environmental changes or the consequences of these changes resulting from a negative human impact on the environment” [5,183]. Today, the task of the mass media is to highlight environmental risks in shaping public opinion on their elimination and the solution of environmental problems. As L.Kokhanova noted, “Journalism should comprehensively cover environmental issues, revealing the importance of understanding the relationship between economic, social and environmental aspects, teaching the values, approaches and actions necessary to achieve sustainable development” [2, 232]. In addition to demonstrating the concern of journalists about the state of the environment, it is necessary to show positive phenomena in nature conservation and finding constructive options in solving environmental problems. It is worth noting that the theme of the state of nature has always been in the field of view of the online media. Today, the functions of ecological online media can be defined as follows:
- information function: providing the audience with information about the state of the environment, informing about the existing or potential risk to human health and the sustainable existence of ecosystems;
- educational function: familiarity of readers with the basic laws of ecosystems, with the danger and negative consequences of anthropogenic environmental impact;
- organizational function: “stimulating” the population to take certain decisions for concrete actions.
- supervisory function: informing about the activities of the authorities, enterprises that influence the state of the environment [5].
In order to keep readers abreast of the latest environmental news and events in Uzbekistan, Chinor ENK launched a web portal in 2005 (www.ekonews.uz). This site provides information and news on various topics, including renewable energy sources (www.energy.ekonews.uz), waste recycling (www.waste.uz) and environmental education (www.ekomaktab.uz). But in Uzbekistan, of the existing 1,565 mass media, the online cological information resources make up only a small part. ekolog.uz, ekobarqaror.uz, sreda.uz, eko.uz, uznature.uz, ecosan.uz, obod.uz here is a small list of ecological online media of Uzbekistan. For the 33.5 million population of Uzbekistan, this is very small. This problem arose also because environmental journalism is a very narrow specialization. None of the universities of the republic does not prepare eco-journalists. Journalists writing on environmental topics are trained in trainings, seminars and media tours conducted for them. After all, a journalist in the field of ecology should have an understanding of the scientific and practical specifics of environmental phenomena, knowledge of the historical context of environmental events, and should be aware of regulatory decisions in the field of environmental policies and activities of environmental organizations, have a general understanding of current environmental issues, and be able to communicate all this information to the audience in such a way that it can be understood, despite all its complexity.
It would take a long time to enumerate all environmental topics, so it seems more rational to single out the main areas that include these topics:
- political, legal and social direction — involves the analysis of existing problems in the field of ecology, identifies their international and political significance, studies the structure and solutions through environmental legislation;
- cognitive direction — provides the reader with scientific information about the functioning of natural systems and laws;
Ecological and economic direction — considers economic and environmental practices in their relationship;
- moral and aesthetic direction — describes the relationship of man with nature from a moral point of view;
- direction of environmental safety — offers scientific and practical ways of behavior in emergency situations;
- Direction for the protection of environmental human rights — analyzes cases of violation of human rights to a safe environment, to reliable environmental information, as well as facts of persecution of people for their active environmental position.
Environmental journalism differs from other types of journalism in the way information is presented. The subtlety lies in the fact that the material should not be presented in an overly emotional form, as this can simply frighten the reader. On the other hand, the informational approach is not suitable here either, since in this case it will not be possible to “reach out” to the reader. The environmentalist journalist needs to find this fine line when the journalistic material causes a sufficient emotional response, but at the same time does not intimidate the reader. As in any other journalistic material, you should check environmental information, use reliable sources, and comply with current legislation in the field of information. It is also important to understand that the lack of information on one or another topical issue in the field of ecology leads to an increase in distrust among the audience. Therefore, the provision of complete and reasoned information is an important condition for its dissemination [3,164].
Very often in the media appear materials of ecologists. But in this case there is a problem. Can the ecologist write an article that will be interesting and accessible to a wide circle of readers? The language of materials written by ecologists is too complicated and may be incomprehensible for a simple reader. And that which is incomprehensible will never be interesting. A journalist can simply convey to the reader the essence of a complex problem. He can adapt any text for his audience. But a journalist, in the language of professionals, if not in the subject, can often misinterpret the words of environmental scientists. The main task of journalism is to bring the problem information of a different nature to a larger number of people, and this can only be done through publicly available media.
At the same time, the specifics of the national media does not allow the journalist to deal exclusively with one topic. This is due to the limited human and financial resources in most publications. Since it takes a lot of time to delve into the topic, raise problems and look for ways to solve them, which the journalist often simply lacks.
However, environmental problems remain problems that the journalist should not keep silent about. But how to make more materials on environmental issues, they would be better, more reliable and more accessible to the end reader. The solution to this problem, perhaps, will sound trite — the active interaction of both parties: journalists and environmentalists. This solution involves several aspects: access to information, the possibility of meeting with experts in the field of ecology, visiting problem environmental sites, territories and objects [1].
As for access to information, this is the problem of journalism in general. And it rises at every second conference, seminar, round table. The first and, perhaps, the most significant obstacle in this matter is the uncoordinated work of the press services of ministries, departments and organizations. While all these organizations should be interested in disseminating information to the masses, in most of them the work in this direction is conducted rather poorly. In some departments the existence of a media relations department is not supposed. But a journalist is a tool for disseminating information to the public. This is a bridge between the general public and government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations. Environmental organizations are not the last in this list. The initiative should come, first of all, from the organization: to give interesting information to journalists, to conduct media tour and to organize meetings with competent people. And the task of journalists is to study one topic or another and adapt it to the audience. This is how relations between the media and various ministries, departments and non-profit organizations should be built. This does not mean that a journalist should sit and wait for the necessary information to fall on him. Having spent a lot of time, he will try to find what he needs, but we are just talking about the interaction that will allow you to more effectively and reliably prepare the necessary information for publication.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the online media of Uzbekistan do not devote enough attention to environmental issues, the potential impact of eco-materials on public opinion has not yet been largely realized. In the presentation of environmental information is not always enough systematic and stylistic imagery. Taking into account the peculiarities of environmental material, environmental specialization in the preparation of journalists is advisable, since today basic environmental knowledge is important for any journalist. Environmental problems cannot be solved with the help of the government alone, or with the help of the public alone, and one business will not do anything either. To improve the environment, the interaction of the whole society, public dialogue is needed. And the media are the main tool of this dialogue. Consequently, one of the goals of environmental journalism is to contribute to social integration by means of weighted, scientifically literate and correct materials, and therefore to the solution of environmental problems. At the same time, the journalist has a huge responsibility for what and how he presents to his audience for the quality of information.
Literature
- Dzhangirov M. The development of environmental journalism in Uzbekistan contributes to the dissemination of knowledge. http://www.cac-program.org
- Kokhanova L. А. Environmental journalism, PR and advertising: study guide for university students / Ed. Ya. N. Zasursky. M .: UNITY-DANA, 2007.-P.121
- Kosimova N. Mass media of Uzbekistan as partners in the field of education for sustainable development. Tutorial. –T., UNESCO. 2017, 178 c.
- Nasyrov M. Ecological resources in UzNet. Narrow themes, not a hindrance to popularity? http://infocom.uz/2008/05/14/ekologicheskie-resursyi-v-uznete-uzkaya-tematika-ne-pomeha-populyarnosti
- Snakin, VV, Puzachenko, Yu.G, and others. Explanatory Dictionary of Nature Conservation. –M., “Ecology of Moscow”, 1995, 192 p.