Environmental Risk Communication in China: Actors, Issues and Governance

The role of media is becoming increasingly important as globalization has developed. Given fast social transformation and technological development in China, the consequent environmental and health risks demand citizens integrate the communication and prevention of such risks as a significant part of their daily life.

This book systematically discusses the communication process of typical environmental risk issues, and the complex interaction among multiple actors, including the public, media, experts, non-governmental organizations, and government in contemporary China. From a media-centered perspective, it applies major theories in the field of environmental and risk communication, and uses a variety of empirical research methods to unravel the complicated and unique experience of communication and governance. Combining theoretical reflections with real-life examples of Chinese scenarios, the authors not only encourage a dialogue between Western and Chinese academia but also inspire students and practitioners to apply risk communication theories to solving real-life problems.

The book will appeal to students, scholars, and practitioners of risk and environmental communication studies.

Jia Dai is an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, China. Her research interests include environmental and risk communication, new media and social transformation.

Fanxu Zeng is an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, China. His research areas are political communication, media and civil society, and environmental communication.