Abstract:

As stated in the principles of post-normal science, environmental degradation impacts the entire globe and all living things as a global problem concerning everyone. The freedom of press has a vital function in preventing environmental degradation and improving environmental quality. A free press contributes to raising environmental awareness and ensures that action is taken on environmental issues. It is aimed in this study to investigate the impacts of freedom of press on environmental degradation in the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB-8) countries. Panel data analysis was conducted out in accordance with the stated purpose, using data covering the period 2003-2018 belonging to the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries. The Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders was used as an indicator of press freedom, and carbon emissions (metric tons per capita) were used as an indicator of environmental degradation. The study also included control variables such as GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption, the share of the urban population in the total population and the trade openness ratio. It has been found as a result of the analysis that as the press freedom index value increases (as press freedom decreases) in the Nordic-Baltic Eight, environmental degradation increases.

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