"The introductory chapter of this volume situates the role of news media in Latin America within the context of the environmental, economic, and sociopolitical challenges that countries in the region face. The authors review the current practical challenges faced by the media and journalists in the reporting of environmental problems, such as the complex relation between media, governments, and elites; violence against journalists; and the dominance of hegemonic discourses, among others. The authors also review the limitations of current scholarship in this area, arguing for more research that examines the factors that affect media coverage of environmental affairs in Latin American countries. The chapter concludes by summarizing the chapters that comprise the edited volume." (Abstract)