Climate Change Coverage in News Media: A Case Study of the Nepali Media in the context of COP29

Abstract

This research examines the representation and framing of climate change in Nepali media during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), held from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. By analyzing climate-related news content from two major national daily newspapers, state-owned (Gorkhapatra Daily) and private-owned (Kantipur Daily), published during the COP29 period, the findings reveal that public media provided significantly more coverage and prioritized environmental issues compared to private media. This disparity highlights the dominant role of state-owned media in focusing on climate change, while private-owned media took a more selective and less consistent approach to reporting on the issue. The study underscores the need for both media sectors to enhance their coverage by adopting a more balanced, diverse, and comprehensive approach to climate change reporting, ensuring a more inclusive discussion of climate issues in Nepal.