BETWEEN FLOODS AND HEADLINES: ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM AND THE CLIMATE DISASTER IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL IN MATO GROSSO NEWS PORTALS

Abstract

This article analyzes the journalistic coverage of environmental disasters that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024, carried out by two news outlets from Mato Grosso: G1 Mato Grosso and Olhar Direto. The research, grounded in Content Analysis, sought to identify to what extent these coverages incorporated the principles of environmental journalism, such as contextualization, plurality of voices, and a preventive approach. The results indicate a predominance of official sources, a superficial approach, and the absence of expert voices or those from affected communities. The analysis highlights the need for more critical and educational journalistic practices, especially in regional journalism, given the increasing complexity of environmental disasters associated with the climate crisis.