The Purpose and the Method of the Study
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the grassroots organizations and the media in formulating the environmental policies of the government. The method of the study is mostly case analys...
The Purpose and the Method of the Study
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the grassroots organizations and the media in formulating the environmental policies of the government. The method of the study is mostly case analysis of the way how, the movement against the building of the Unrim hot springs and the media's report on the pollution crisis of the Yuchun industrial complex, directed the outcome of the environmetal policies of the Kwangju city and the Chunnam area
The Theory and the Analytical Framework
The environemtal policies are formulated through active consultaions between several grass roots organizations, the corporates, the media, and the local residents. If one closely examines the environmental organizations and the media mentioned in this paper, one notices the following patterns; first, the ability of the grassroots organizations to influence the policymaking of the government. Second, the ability of the media to influence the shaping of the environmental policies. Third, the ability of the grassroots organization to manipulate the media for their own purposes and lastly, the ability of the media to use the environmental organiztions in turn, to shape the policy makings of government.
The Result of the Analysis
From 1996 to 1998, the environmental organizations used various, direct and indirect methods, to shape the policy formulation of the government. Through this effort, they were able to resist the plans of the Kwangju city and the Dongku municipal government to develop the Unrim hotsprings. In 1996, the media gave an indepth report revealing the problems concerning the relocation of the residents living near the Yuchun industrial complex. Due to the media pressure, the government formulated compensation and the relocation policies akin to the ones suggested by the media. In conclusion, the environmental organizations and the media exercised considerable amount of power.
The Result of the Analysis and Suggestions
Although, the environmental organizations and the media were very active in their effort, more active communications between the two could have produced a stronger pressure on the government. Based on these findings, in order to formulate a more effective policy, the environmental organizations and the media need to expand their regulatory functions, provide moderate and pragmatic alternatives, and be more active in ' communicating with one another, and, in educating people on the importance of the environmental protections.