Every autumn, millions of monarch butterflies depart from the US and fly toward the Mexican state of Michoacán, home of oyamel fir forests. Due to human activity, however, their numbers are dwindling despite the best efforts of environmentalists who put their lives on the line to defend the monarchs. Champions of the orange butterflies in Mexico stare the possibility of death in the face daily, as their calls to preserve the forests put them at odds with cartels, illegal loggers, and even avocado farmers who want to exploit the forest. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here