Chronicle EditorGibson Mhaka ,[email protected]
AS the climate crisis intensifies, environmental concerns become ever more critical for everyone and an informed public is essential to drive the practical steps and policy changes needed to mitigate this developing crisis, which presents alarming environmental challenges to humanity’s continued survival.
Despite the existential threat posed by environmental issues, research shows a disturbing lack of attention and expertise devoted to the environment by the media.This is particularly concerning because coverage has declined even as the severity of the situation has become increasingly apparent, compared to a decade ago.
Although environmental problems are typically discovered by scientists, it is the media that often plays a central role in disseminating information, influencing people’s attitude and promoting public awareness.
Unfortunately, many newsrooms continue to treat the environment as a siloed beat for specialists, hindering public understanding of its widespread impact.
Journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of environmental issues.In turn, greater public awareness, fuelled by strong climate coverage, can lead to positive action.
The critical role of journalism in shaping public perception of environmental issues was underscored this year on World Press Freedom Day, which was held under the theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
This theme served as a stark reminder to journalists around the world of their responsibility to inform the public about environmental challenges and empower them to demand action from policymakers.
The theme also highlights the critical role journalists can play in raising awareness and informing the public on environmental challenges, while also emphasising the need for factual and balanced reporting on complex issues.
In a statement marking World Press Freedom Day, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, implored the media to prioritise objective reporting on environmental issues and potential solutions.
“The world is faced with climate change, biodiversity loss and an air pollution crisis. Disinformation and misinformation about these pertinent issues can exacerbate them. I implore the media to report objectively on environmental issues and possible solutions,” said Dr Muswere.
Dr Muswere’s statement underscores the dangers of disinformation and misinformation surrounding environmental issues.
Spreading false information about climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution can exacerbate these crises by hindering public understanding and delaying critical action.
Speaking during belated Press Freedom Day commemorations in Bulawayo recently, B-Metro Editor Limukani Ncube said the media has a crucial role to play in bringing attention to the urgent need for action to address the environmental crisis.
“Climate change, deforestation, pollution and loss of biodiversity are some of the threats facing our planet. It is through the coverage and investigation of these issues that the media can raise awareness and mitigate the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation for a sustainable future.
“The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, with devastating droughts, floods and food insecurity becoming more frequent in many parts of the world, Africa and Zimbabwe included,” said Ncube.
He said there is a need by the media to prioritise the climate change discourse and draw attention to the unique challenges faced by our communities in that regard.
“From the historical role of the media as a watchdog in society, the challenge is now to become a Guide Dog, or Dog Guide where the media guides audiences on how to navigate through the vagaries of climate change.
“Playing the role of a Guide Dog is akin to performing solutions-based journalism. It entails getting expert advice and channelling it through to audiences.
“The media can give guidance to the masses by providing well-researched articles using multimedia that educate audiences on climate change and its patterns.
“The media has to inform audiences on what to expect through environmental and weather articles and debunk some myths that some rural or religious people might have on the climate change discourse,” he said.
An associate journalist with Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism, Ms Andiswa Matikinca said one of the challenges that journalists face is writing complex environmental content that is accessible and engaging for a broad audience, not just for those already interested in the field, such as activists, policymakers and other stakeholders.
“Due to this, I believe that most newsrooms end up not investing enough in the environmental news desk because they erroneously anticipate the return on that investment is not the same as with other beats.
“Another issue is that people often have a more keen interest in environmental issues when there is a trending disaster, such as those caused by the impacts of climate change.
“Ordinarily, people do not follow the causes of and build up to such stories daily. Journalists could report about increasing temperatures due to climate change for years with minimal engagement until one day, a heatwave with disastrous impacts such as loss of lives happens, and only then will there be a surge in readership or engagement with their work.
“After a few weeks or months following that event, things will go back to the way they were. There is also the issue of a lack of verified information or access to this information, so accuracy becomes a challenge for reporters,” said Ms Matikinca who is currently working on several of Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism’s projects, where she tracks, monitors and investigates wildlife and other environmental crimes as well as the status of renewable energy projects and the Just Energy Transition.
Turning to how environmental journalism can be more effective, Ms Matikinca emphasised the importance of reaching audiences where they are.
“More of our work needs to use simpler terms and language that will be understood by people on the ground.
“Partnerships with community media should also be fostered to have investigations and articles focused on environmental issues circulated in local languages that people will understand, and engage with more easily.
“These actions empower a wider audience to take note of environmental issues they face and perhaps inspire action as well,” she said.
“One of the shortcomings in current environmental media coverage is that local journalists are not leveraging the use of local languages to report on environmental issues to engage a wider audience.
“There is also a lack of in-depth analysis, which is why Oxpeckers chooses to approach all of its investigations with a data-driven angle. Environmental reporting is frequently superficial, lacking in in-depth analysis of the root causes, impacts and potential solutions to environmental challenges in the region,” said Ms Matikinca.
Local stories, she said, deserve more attention than they are currently getting.
“Much of the media focus is on global environmental problems, while local issues specific to communities across Southern Africa often get overlooked or under-reported.
“Part of this is that there is limited representation of marginalised voices, which remains a huge problem when writing about any African country. Marginalised groups are disproportionately affected by environmental issues, yet their voices are frequently absent from mainstream media coverage,” said Ms Matikinca.
This underscores journalists’ vital role in environmental accountability and as environmental watchdogs giving voice to the affected and fostering public discourse.
An environmental journalist specialising in African environment and development issues, Mr Emmanuel Koro, said travelling to remote areas, a hallmark of environmental journalism, strains budgets for both African and global journalists in a declining media economy.
“It was my observation that journalists depend heavily on official sources (environmental experts, NGOs, government officials) neglecting the perspectives of ‘ordinary people.” Journalists also exhibit a bias towards urban environmental issues, neglecting rural concerns, disadvantaged groups’ struggles, and public education on environmental rights,” said Koro.
He called for international focus on Africa’s under-reported environmental stories, emphasising that the continent’s environment is the source of vital resources for survival.
“However, issues related to international wildlife management politics are fraught with controversy. Western countries and animal rights NGOs often advocate against the ivory trade, even in regions with elephant overpopulation.
“Proponents of legal, controlled ivory trade argue that international bans stifle economic growth in Africa, particularly in elephant-overpopulated areas of Southern Africa. These issues deserve media attention without fear of reprisal.
“African journalists have a crucial role in informing Africans and supporters about how external influences often impede scientifically sound efforts by African countries to manage their wildlife sustainably through legal international trade. CITES bans on wildlife products like ivory and rhino horn are a point of contention. Many African journalists argue these bans are ineffective conservation tools and have failed to stop poaching,” said Koro.
It is clear from Mr Koro’s observation that Western animal rights NGOs advocating against international wildlife trade are the primary cause of poaching due to their lobbying for bans.
Climate change and environmental expert Mr Tawanda Collins Muzamwese stressed the importance of journalism in providing information.
He said documenting successful initiatives and case studies can inspire action.
“There is a lack of awareness, low prioritisation and lack of technical capacity to report on environmental matters. In some areas, communities have limited access to media products and may also have low connectivity. This can lead to a lack of urgency and resources dedicated to environmental reporting,” said Mr Muzamwese.
Highlighting under-reported environmental issues critical for a sustainable future, Mr Muzamwese mentioned hazardous chemicals, environmental toxicology, cleaner production, and chemical leasing. Looking ahead, he identified climate change, deforestation, efficient water utilisation, and electronic waste as the most pressing issues demanding continued journalistic focus.
Online Reporter