In an era where climate change is increasingly affecting weather patterns, a recent study by Media Matters reveals that national television news networks have largely sidestepped the climate angle in their coverage of the Canadian wildfires. The wildfires, which have been raging since March, have blanketed large parts of the American East Coast in smoke, raising concerns about air quality and public health.
Media Matters’ analysis found that over a 24-hour period on June 7, national TV news broadcasters including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and MSNBC, covered the Canadian wildfire smoke for more than three and a half hours across 89 segments. However, climate change was mentioned only 15 times. Fox News, on the other hand, covered the story for 2 hours and 41 minutes across 55 segments, with 10 mentions of climate change, but these mentions were either skeptical or dismissive of climate change’s role in the wildfires.
The Missed Opportunity
The study highlights a missed opportunity for news networks to educate the public on the links between climate change and extreme weather events. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires, which originated from over 400 active fires, is causing some of the worst air quality levels in years. This is not just a public health threat but also an illustration of the dangers posed by global warming, which is fueling more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
The Need for Responsible Journalism
Media Matters calls on national TV news to improve their coverage of the climate connection to extreme weather events. By drawing clear connections between climate change and events like the Canadian wildfires, news networks can play a vital role in increasing public awareness and understanding. This, in turn, can empower communities to distinguish accurate information from misinformation and generate public pressure on policymakers to prioritize climate action.
The Exception to the Rule
Not all coverage was devoid of climate context. CNN’s Bill Weir and MSNBC’s primetime hosts Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, and Alex Wagner were among the few who used their platforms to discuss the climate connection between the Canadian wildfires and the smoke.
As the world faces the escalating impacts of climate change, it is imperative for media outlets to recognize their role in shaping public understanding and discourse. The coverage of the Canadian wildfires serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with this role.
Cooper, E. (2023, June 8). National TV news chokes out the climate angle in coverage of Canadian wildfires. Media Matters for America. https://www.mediamatters.org/broadcast-networks/national-tv-news-chokes-out-climate-angle-coverage-canadian-wildfires