Cultural representations of environmental activism: A comparative press analysis of Indian and American newspaper coverage of hydropower debate

Our perception of and relationship with our natural environment is shaped by the dominant cultural perspectives held toward the environment. This comparative study is based on the assumption that there is a marked difference between these cultural perspectives in India and the United States, and because journalists carry cultural notions to the newsroom, these differences are likely to surface in media coverage of environmental issues. Considering environmental activism opposing large hydroelectric projects as one example of environmental news, this study examines the emergence of cultural differences in the print media in India and the United States. Contextual analysis was used to analyze two Indian newspapers (The Times of India and The Hindu) and two U.S. newspapers (The New York Times and The Buffalo News) in the environmental cultural context of their respective countries. Environmental activism was measured by examining two aspects of the news coverage: mobilizing information and appeals. Provision of mobilizing information was considered an indication of newspapers' emphasis on citizen involvement.; The study demonstrates that there indeed is a difference in the way environmental news, as it relates to the hydroelectric projects is covered in the United States and in India. Some of the key findings of the study are: (1) Indian newspapers provided much more detailed and frequent coverage of the struggle against hydroelectric projects than their U.S. counterparts, (2) Mobilizing information was provided often and at varied levels, which could potentially cater to audiences with diverse political orientations. The study revealed varying kinds of mobilizing information not discussed in earlier research on mobilizing information. Two previously unidentified types of MI were labeled invitational and empowering. Invitational mobilizing information seemed more useful for motivating the audience to get involved. Empowering MI was mainly useful for those who were already involved either in the same or similar issues.