Analytical Study of Environmental Culture in Iraq and the Role of the Media in Promoting It

Iraq faces many environmental problems due to climatic, cultural and administrative differences. The aim of this research is to identify the role of the Iraqi media in promoting the environmental culture of the Iraqi people. In today’s life, the media plays an irreplaceable role in creating culture, and proper use of this huge capacity can help governments in promoting the right culture of life and successful lifestyle. The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment is the main sponsor of the field of environment and solving its problems in Iraq, and if it can make good use of the media capabilities, it can benefit from helping people in the matter of environmental protection. In this research, and to identify the role of the media in promoting environmental culture, a quantitative research method and a questionnaire were used to collect data. For this purpose, a questionnaire was used among 384 people from different governorates of Iraq in different age groups who were randomly selected and distributed. Analysis of the results of this research showed that “desertification and pollution of water, air and soil” are among the most important environmental issues in Iraq, and the level of environmental awareness among the Iraqi people is low, and this research showed that the Iraqi people paid attention to the media. Himself consider social media as the most active and successful media in covering environmental issues, educating and informing in this field. The Iraqi people consider the performance of the state, the media, and the Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment to be weak. According to the people, the most important impact of environmental media programs is to “create culture and encourage people to take the lead in environmental protection activities.” One of the most important recommendations of this research is to increase the interest of the Ministry of Health and Environment and the government media in environmental issues and the optimal use of social media and the promotion of environmental culture for the Iraqi people.