The media play an important role in the development process of countries. It can raise awareness among the public about various developmental issues, including health. In the case of Pakistan, science and environmental journalism is crucial for sustainable development “ranging from facilitation of good governance to social cohesion, peace, public participation, empowerment and inclusion”.

The media also play an important role in the development of particular sectors of the Pakistani economy, especially agriculture, which can benefit from science and environmental communication in the media as “farming has become a more scientific and knowledge-based” field.

The media can also help to bridge the gap between science and the public, and even advocate for science, as Pakistan is one of those countries in South Asia which had witnessed dramatic peaks and troughs in government financial support for science and technology.

This DCU research project answers calls for a greater understanding of science journalism in the Global South. Taking the case of environmental journalism in Pakistan, we present a thematic analysis of data from interviews with nine environmental reporters working for a range of news titles, representing the major media organisations in the country.