A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Discourse in Hindi and English News Media

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrsml.v13.i9.4

Dr Reeta Mishra

IILM University

Knowledge Park II, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306

Abstract

Environmental discourse in media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and policy responses to ecological challenges. This comparative study investigates the framing, frequency, thematic emphasis, and rhetorical strategies employed in Hindi and English news media when covering environmental issues in India from January to December 2024. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative content analysis of 1,200 news articles (600 Hindi, 600 English) with qualitative critical discourse analysis. Key variables included issue salience, actor attribution, solution orientation, and emotive language. Results indicate that English‐language outlets prioritize policy debates, expert commentary, and global context, whereas Hindi‐language outlets emphasize local community impacts, cultural narratives, and emotive storytelling. While both media types acknowledge major events—such as air pollution crises and monsoon floods—Hindi coverage more frequently foregrounds grassroots voices and vernacular metaphors. English coverage, in contrast, foregrounds scientific data, comparative international benchmarks, and governmental accountability. The conclusion underscores the complementary roles of vernacular and elite media in environmental communication and advocates for integrative strategies that bridge cultural narratives with policy‐oriented discourse. Future research should expand temporally, incorporate digital and social media, and examine audience reception to develop holistic models of environmental engagement in multilingual contexts.

Keywords

Environmental discourse; Hindi news media; English news media; comparative analysis; critical discourse analysis

References

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