As an important social institution in the social environment, the mass media have the responsibility to ex ercise their function in environmental surveillance, consensus building, and socialization, to strive for the protection of a sustainable environment. Coverage of environmental issues are governed by prevailing laws and, in some countries, governments consider it subversive for the media to discuss issues like rainforest loss, bio- diversity or dam projects. A responsible environmental journalist will not sensationalize an event. He will not challenge. He will rather investigate, talk to authoritative people, interview victims and eyewitnesses.
Many environmental reporters come out of the older, traditional beat of science writers.
The focus is on reporting facts that have emerged because of scientific research. Reporting popular science has a general appeal among readers. The new generation of journalists must have sound scientific background and consummate media skill. It takes a lot of training. Investigative reporting, interpretative journalism, in-depth stories and many more are required.