Earth Day panel assesses the media coverage of climate activism
On Wednesday, April 17, Hofstra geared up for Earth Day by hosting a panel about the portrayal of violent and non-violent climate activism in the media. The panelists included Professor Paul Fritz from the department of political science, Professor Scott Brinton from the department of journalism, mass media and public relations, and Professor Phillip Dalton from the department of rhetoric. Dalton also serves as the director of the Center for Civic Engagement. Each of the three panelists brought unique perspectives from their areas of expertise and tied their ideas back to the mainstream media coverage of environmental activism.
“What we’re doing in journalism today isn’t really what the world needs,” Brinton said. “One of the most important ways [to promote climate stories] is at the local level.”
The panelists spoke about the influential role the media plays in climate activism. Brinton himself has written 44 articles, accounting for over 60,000 words, about diesel exhaust pollution at Freeport Power Plant No. 2; his work contributed to the eventual shutdown and replacement of the plant.
Hannah Ardiff, a senior labor studies and political science double major who organized the event, was inspired by Hofstra’s LEAF Club to put together the panel. Ardiff attended a climate-related protest in Manhattan in the fall of 2023.
“I started thinking about, well, what kind of protests are effective? Are these non-violent protests effective?” Ardiff said. Her questions were one of the motivations she had to create Wednesday afternoon’s event.