As an informal system, media reputation has an important impact on the resource acquisition and development strategy of enterprises. Based on the data of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2022, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of media reputation on the green innovation quality of enterprises. The study found that media reputation improves the quality of green innovation in enterprises. The results of mechanism analysis show that media reputation improves the quality of corporate green innovation by reducing the cost of debt financing for enterprises and increasing the green development orientation of executives. The results of heterogeneity analysis show that for state-owned enterprises, media reputation has a stronger effect on the quality of green innovation of enterprises in areas with high environmental regulation intensity as well as those in areas with low marketization level.