Green Coverage: How Indian Print Media Is Shaping The Sustainability Narrative On Climate

Abstract

This study examines India’s most widely circulated two national newspapers, The Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar, and frames and prioritizes coverage related to climate change and sustainable development. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the front pages and editorial pages of both newspapers published between 27 February and 23 March 2025, a period encompassing key environmental observances from National Science Day to World Water Day. The findings reveal a significant underrepresentation of climate and sustainability coverage accounted for less than 1.3% of front-page news items in both newspapers. The Times of India did not publish a single editorial piece addressing climate change or sustainability sustainability-related article during the study period, underscoring a concerning editorial gap in environmental discourse. Whereas Dainik Bhaskar newspaper offered minimal but visible coverage, including a half-page editorial feature on World Water Day. The results suggest that despite growing environmental challenges, Indian mainstream print media continues to prioritize political and governance reporting over long-term ecological concerns. This study highlights the urgent need for media organizations to recalibrate their editorial strategies and amplify coverage of sustainability and climate change to support informed public engagement and policy discourse.