Sources used and the challenges encountered by newspaper journalists when covering environmental conservation information in Tanzanian newspapers
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Background: Environmental conservation is a crucial global issue, and in Tanzania,
newspaper journalists play a vital role in raising awareness and educating the public.
Purpose: This study explores the sources Tanzanian newspaper journalists use to gather
environmental conservation information and examines the challenges they face in reporting
on these issues.
Research Design, Study Sample, Data Collection and/or Analysis: Using a
qualitative research design, the study involved journalists from four major newspapers:
Daily News, The Guardian, Mwananchi, and Habari Leo. A purposive sampling technique
was used to select 20 journalists for in-depth interviews and content analysis of published
articles.
Results: The findings indicate that journalists rely on sources such as government
agencies, environmental conservation organizations, academic experts, community voices,
social media, corporate sources, international reports, and their own observations to
cover information they publish in the newspapers. However, they encounter barriers
such as a lack of prioritization for environmental news, resource constraints, insufficientskills and knowledge, time limitations, low public literacy on environmental issues, restricted
access to credible information, and political and commercial pressures.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for improved journalism education and policy
support to enhance environmental reporting. It recommends comprehensive training for
journalists, increased awareness of the importance of environmental news, better access
to diverse sources, and a supportive media environment to strengthen conservation
coverage in Tanzania.
Description
Keywords
environmental conservation, challenges, journalists, newspapers, information sources, Tanzania
Citation
APA