A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes monitoring media streams associated with channels in a communication environment. The method also includes receiving an alert in one of the media streams and elevating a priority associated with the media stream receiving the alert. Elevating the priority can include increasing the volume of the media stream receiving the alert, changing a spatial direction for rendering the media stream receiving the alert, rendering the media stream receiving the alert to a priority spatial direction, identifying a primary channel and rendering the alert message to the primary channel, turning a volume down on media streams not receiving the alert, or a combination thereof.