Media Discourse, Public Education, and Corporate Responsibility: Critical Analysis of ESG Coverage in Israel

Authors

  • Amit Lavie-Dinur

    Communication Department, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Isreal
  • Yuval Karniel

    Communication Department, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Isreal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i1.11537
Received:20 April 2025 | Revised: 9 June 2025 | Accepted: 16 June 2025 | Published Online: 22 June 2025

Abstract

This study offers a critical exploration of how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues are represented and interpreted within Israel’s leading financial media outlets, focusing on the month of June 2024. Drawing on a qualitative content analysis of articles published in Globes, Calcalist, and The Marker, the research uncovers that much of the Israeli ESG discourse is framed not by in-depth investigative reporting, but by marketing-oriented materials, sponsored features, and corporate public relations efforts. This pattern often results in narratives that prioritize positive branding over critical evaluation. The findings reveal that global influences—especially U.S. political and regulatory debates—play a significant role in shaping local coverage, sometimes overshadowing uniquely Israeli environmental, social, and governance contexts. Among the recurring challenges identified are greenwashing practices, in which companies present exaggerated or misleading sustainability claims, and the absence of unified ESG measurement standards, which hinders reliable comparison and transparency across industries. Such deficiencies were found to weaken public trust, reduce the ability of stakeholders to make informed decisions, and limit the potential educational value of ESG media coverage. The research emphasizes the importance of fostering media literacy, so that readers can critically assess ESG claims; supporting independent journalism that prioritizes accuracy and accountability; and developing culturally adapted educational programs that reflect Israel’s social, economic, and environmental realities. Together, these measures could strengthen corporate responsibility practices and improve informed civic engagement in Israel’s evolving ESG landscape.

Keywords:

ESG; Corporate Social Responsibility; Media Literacy; Journalism; Greenwashing; Public Education; Israel; Political Influence

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How to Cite

Lavie-Dinur, A., & Karniel, Y. (2025). Media Discourse, Public Education, and Corporate Responsibility: Critical Analysis of ESG Coverage in Israel. Journal of International Education and Practice, 8(1), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i1.11537

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 1 (June 2025)

Article Type

ARTICLE

License

Copyright © 2025 Amit Lavie-Dinur, Yuval Karniel

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.