The politics of the media and ecological ethics

The politics of the media and ecological ethics J. B. KIRKPATRICK' Ecologists are scientists who attempt to test various possible stories about a reality that they believe ultimately exists. They feel that they have invalidated the perpetual economic growth myth. Journalists are communicators, driven by lhe need for audiences and the "growthist" world-views of their ernployers.The construction of "news" is such that issues are polarized and facts might as well not exist.The differences in training and culture between ecologists and journalists makes accurate reporting of ecological work difficult, especially in the frequent context of differences of opinion between ecologists. Ethical behaviour on the part of ecologists in this confusing situatlon Is suggested to involve: honesty; concentrating on the ball, not the player; negotiation between proponents to isolate areas of disagreement and means of resolving such dlsagreernent; playing the debate in open, rather than applying surreptitious pressure.