Wizikey, the AI-powered media intelligence platform, has commissioned its latest Wizikey Pollution News Analysis Report 2023-2024. The report spotlights disparities in media coverage of air pollution across India by analyzing over 500,000 articles from 50,000 publications. The report highlights how under-reporting in some regions may delay critical public awareness and timely measures.
The report appreciates Delhi’s media for setting a gold standard in pollution reporting, with over 75,000 news articles that capture the severity of the city’s air quality crisis.
However, the findings also reveal that several high-pollution cities, such as Hapur and Faridabad, struggle with minimal coverage, exposing a troubling gap in India’s media landscape.
Furthermore, over 87% of Cities and Towns in India lack required Air Quality Monitoring systems to an unclear picture of Air Quality throughout the nation.
Aakriti Bhargava, Co-founder of Wizikey, said, “Wizikey’s report uncovers both successes and blind spots in pollution-related reporting across India. While Delhi’s extensive media attention is commendable, equally impacted cities without similar coverage face serious public health risks. The media plays a crucial role in highlighting these issues, and we hope this report inspires broader and more consistent pollution coverage.”
To further engage the public, Wizikey has released a video of the report’s findings on social media, urging viewers to explore the full report and share insights. The video aims to amplify #MyRightToBreathe and prompt nationwide discussions on pollution and environmental justice.
Key findings:
- Crisis Cities: Cities like Delhi dominate pollution news, with coverage 7.5 times that of Noida and 13 times that of Ghaziabad, despite similar pollution levels.
- Silent Sufferers: Cities such as Hapur (AQI 361) and Meerut (AQI 377) suffer high pollution but low media visibility, risking unaddressed health consequences.
- Invisible Danger Zones: Regions like Firozabad and Fatehpur Sikri exhibit dangerously high AQI levels yet receive minimal media coverage, posing significant public health risks.
- Liveable Cities: Cities with favorable air quality, such as Bhopal and Indore, demonstrate effective air quality management and represent models of sustainable urban development.
Seasonal trends:
The report reveals a 70% drop in pollution coverage peaks from 2023 to 2024, highlighting the need for sustained, year-round reporting beyond the usual winter months.
Wizikey’s analysis of Delhi’s news coverage shows a reactive spike in reporting during winter, largely driven by seasonal issues like stubble burning and firecracker pollution.
However, pollution persists year-round due to factors such as vehicle emissions and industrial activity.
