AFRICA: The causes of the abandonment of environmental journalism
The African Journalists Network on Sustainable Development and Climate Change today released the results of a revealing survey at the 3rd Annual African Media Convention (AMC), which takes place from May 15 to 17, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. The survey, conducted from May 10 to 13, 2024, highlights the financial challenges faced by journalists covering environmental issues across the continent.
Among the 150 journalists surveyed, a worrying trend emerged: more than 74.7% reported having abandoned or reduced their coverage of environmental issues due to lack of funding. These figures reveal a pressing crisis in the African journalism sector, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by those seeking to report on crucial issues such as climate change, pollution, and sustainability.
The study shows that 85.3% of journalists believe they do not have sufficient resources to properly carry out their work. Among the main reasons cited, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic decline, and lack of advertising top the list. Additionally, 82.7% of respondents reported financial difficulties over the past three years, citing reasons such as inflation, high rents, and a lack of advertising.
Furthermore, nearly half of journalists (44%) acknowledge a lack of intellectual preparation to address environmental issues, highlighting the crucial need for specialized training in this area. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of respondents have witnessed a violation of press freedom in the past three years, illustrating the risks inherent in covering sensitive topics.
The voice of environmental journalists
Despite these challenges, a glimmer of hope is emerging: more than a quarter of journalists (26.7%) note growing public interest in environmental issues. At the same time, nearly a third (32.7%) identify a growing demand for topics such as climate change, sustainable development, and biodiversity.
The results of this survey conducted by the African Journalists Network on Sustainable Development and Climate Change underscore the urgent need for concerted action to support environmental journalists in Africa. As the climate crisis intensifies, it is imperative to ensure that these voices continue to inform and raise awareness about the critical environmental issues facing the continent.
The survey is being presented as part of the 3rd Annual African Media Convention (AMC), which is being held from May 15 to 17, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. The pre-report version of the study will be published in full on May 25, 2024 .
The CMA was launched in 2021 by the East African Editors Forum, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) liaison office to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the UNESCO country office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The CMA has become a key forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability on the African continent. This event is inspired by World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3. This global day set the tone this year for environmental journalists, with the theme " A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis ."
The Emissary
Source : https://www.afrik21.africa/ by Boris Ngounou
