Local Media Independence in Environmental Coverage in Central Sulawesi Province

Abstract

Economic growth in Central Sulawesi driven by the nickel and mining industries has raised concerns about the negative impacts on the environment and society. This study highlights the challenges of local media and journalists in reporting environmental issues amidst corporate pressure. The focus is on the dynamics of media resilience in providing information about the environmental impacts of industries, such as mining, while they are in a dilemma between corporate interest pressures and journalistic independence. By utilizing the perspective of Media Political Economy theory, this study analyzes the power between local media and companies in the context of environmental reporting. Qualitative methods are used to explore the strategies implemented by local media in maintaining their independence amidst corporate pressures. This study aims to understand the complex relationship between local media and corporate interests in environmental journalism practices in Central Sulawesi. The results are expected to provide an in-depth understanding of how local media maintain their independence in reporting environmental issues in the context of economic growth that impacts the environment and society.