Digital Media and Its Relationship to Environmental Development Dimention: A Review of Algeria’s Experience in Supporting Afforestation Campaigns—An Analytical Study of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Facebook Page.

Abstract

This study examines the role of digital media, particularly social media platforms, in raising issues with a developmental dimension. These platforms have come to play a fundamental role in influencing societies by disseminating important topics. This has increased the public’s reliance on social media in the media consumption process. Unlike traditional media, social media allows users to access preferred content, ask questions, comment freely, and share desired content. This creates a dynamic, interactive relationship between the source and the audience. These features have led governments to rely on digital media as an open space that serves as a digital bridge between them and their audiences.
This descriptive-analytical study sought to uncover the relationship between digital media and discussions of environmental protection issues. It aimed to identify the impact of digital media content related to environmental development, particularly content on afforestation issues adopted by Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The ministry uses this content to disseminate environmental matters and raise public awareness. This supports the state's efforts to motivate society to take initiative, revive the culture of afforestation, and foster concern for forest cover.
This study employed media dependency theory to frame research questions and issues regarding the efforts of digital media content produced by ministries and organizations on afforestation issues. The study analyzed the digital content of Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on its Facebook social media platform from20 October 2025, to 14 February 2026. Content analysis was employed as the field research method. The analysis focused on specific categories of form and content, using a comprehensive sample survey of all digital media content related to afforestation issues during the specified study period.
The study’s findings emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Facebook platform and the nature of its content. Photos and videos were an easy way to produce content that yielded visible results and contributed to follower engagement. Most of the persuasive techniques used appealed to both the emotions and the intellect, thanks to simple, clear language and a consistent posting schedule. The Ministry’s page focused on diversifying activities, including afforestation campaigns, calls to citizens, and engagement with associations and activists. This increased public interest in and interaction with tree-planting issues, as well as awareness of and support for government agencies, due to collective participation. This reinforced the idea that protecting forests and green spaces is a shared responsibility.