The impact of the Turkish media on raising awareness about environmental problems

In today's globalized world, environmental issues have become a topic that requires greater attention. Factors such as industrialization, urbanization, changes in consumption habits, and the uncontrolled use of natural resources deepen environmental degradation. This situation seriously threatens the ecological sustainability of the planet. In the face of increasing environmental problems, it is of vital importance for societies to become aware and to develop solution-oriented behavioral models for the success of environmental policies. In this context, one of the most effective tools for raising environmental awareness among individuals is the media. The media plays a critical role in making environmental issues visible to the public, both as a transmitter of information and as a shaper of perception. The extent to which the media is active in producing news about the environment, the themes it emphasizes, the frequency of content, and the way it presents information directly affect individuals' attitudes toward the environment and their level of awareness. This study aims to examine how environmental issues are represented through the media and to explore the impact of these representations on public awareness. The study first addresses current environmental problems and discusses key concepts such as environmental awareness and environmental communication. It then evaluates the relationship between media and the environment. In the final section, research findings and interpretations are presented. A survey conducted within the scope of the study seeks to measure the influence of the media on environmental awareness. The findings indicate that active and conscious use of the media can positively transform perceptions of environmental issues. Moreover, it has been determined that the level of environmental awareness varies according to the participants' demographic characteristics. This finding highlights the importance of tailoring environmental communication strategies to the characteristics of the target audience.