EXPLORING THE INSIGHTS OF MEDIA ACADEMICS ON THE ROLE OF MEDIA AS PUBLIC SPHERE IN CLIMATE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study explored the expert insights of media academics on the role of media as a public sphere in climate policy implementation in Pakistan. The study also dealt with how the media influences public opinion as well as the climate change experts and the policy makers that may lead towards policy development and implementation. Guided by the interpretivist paradigm and phenomenological approach, the study employed qualitative research design and subsequently the in-depth interviews as a research method to document responses of the purposively-selected sample of media academics serving in Islamabad and Rawalpindi-based universities/HEIs. It explored four themes including Media as a Facilitator of the Public Sphere in Climate Discourse, Limitations of the Public Sphere in Climate Policy Engagement, Role of Media Education in Strengthening Public Sphere Engagement, and Public Sphere and Its Impact on Climate Policy Implementation. It underscored the need for a multifaceted strategy encompassing media reforms, education, and public participation to fully utilize the media as a catalyst for climate policy understanding and action in Pakistan.