LEVERAGING PICTORIAL JOURNALISM FOR COMMUNITY ADVOCACY IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

ABSTRACT This study examined the role of pictorial journalism in promoting environmental justice through community advocacy in Bauchi Metropolis. The objectives of the study were to assess the current state of environmental justice issues, analyze the effectiveness of pictorial journalism in raising awareness and influencing public opinion, evaluate the impact of visual storytelling on community advocacy and grassroots mobilization, and assess the influence of pictorial journalism on policy decisions. A survey method was adopted by distributing 256 questionnaire to the respondents as sample sizes, were 244 returned. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean scores and standard deviations. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrated a high level of awareness of environmental justice issues, considered them moderately serious, and identified various impacts on their communities. The study also established that pictorial journalism was effective in raising awareness, shaping public opinion, and influencing perceptions more strongly than written reports. While the frequency of exposure to environmental images in the media was moderate, respondents affirmed that visual storytelling had significant potential to inspire action, mobilize communities, and promote advocacy efforts. Furthermore, pictorial journalism was perceived as capable of influencing government responses and policy decisions, though confidence in its long-term policy impact remained moderate. The study concludes that pictorial journalism is a powerful communication tool for promoting environmental justice in Bauchi Metropolis. The study recommends increased use of pictorial content in environmental reporting, stronger collaboration between media and government institutions, and the need for continuous awareness campaigns to sustain public engagement and policy transformation.