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𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, we once again amplify calls for journalists to take up their role in environmental protection and promote responsible natural resource governance for a sustainable future. Journalism and the press have a critical role in safeguarding the environment and this year’s theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis” which focuses on the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis, highlights the importance of telling the environmental story to shape a greener and better future. In line with UNESCO’s assertion that the press plays a significant role in ensuring access to, and dissemination of information to ensure and secure a sustainable future that respects the rights of individuals and their diversity of voices, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) believes that the media is an indispensable partner in efforts to promote Environmental, Economic, Social and Cultural (EESC) rights, which are reflective of natural resources governance. Read our full statement on #WorldPressFreedomDay2024 here: https://lnkd.in/dRggNSc8

The world is facing an unprecedented environmental emergency, and journalists are paying the ultimate price for reporting on it. According to UNESCO, over 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets covering environmental issues have been reported in the past 15 years, with the frequency of such attacks rising. https://buff.ly/3QpTGC8 #SupportLocalJournalism #LocalNewsMatters #CommunityFirst #WorldPressFreedomDay

At the Hotel Romantic in Veles, around thirty journalists and environmental defenders from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey gathered to discuss the negative impacts of mining on the environment and citizens' health. The event was organized by Journalists for Human Rights with support from EARTHWORKS. Program Director of JHR, Dokovska Spirovska Natasha emphasized that the media still do not pay enough attention to this issue, making it necessary for journalists to be trained and empowered to report professionally and safely. During the three-day event, the following topics were discussed: 1. The negative impact of mining on the environment and citizens' health in Macedonia, the broader Balkans, and Turkey. 2. Local struggles against mining activities and cases of institutional neglect (e.g., Veles, Strumica, Bor). 3. Potential pollution and devastation from planned lithium and gold excavations. 4. Examples of environmental disasters in the region and the role of the media in reporting these issues. The following conclusions were reached at the meeting: 1. Greater cooperation between journalists and environmental defenders is necessary to inform the public and pressure institutions. 2. Journalists need to receive specialized training for reporting on environmental issues and working in risk areas. 3. The lack of transparency from institutions hinders journalists' work and limits their access to information. 4. Participants emphasized the importance of continuing network collaboration between journalists and activists to strengthen pressure on authorities and achieve positive environmental changes.

A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis The question of whether economic and social development are complementary to free speech has been considered for decades by citizens, scholars, politicians, and analysts. Freedom of speech and public communication are essential for development as they provide knowledge, scrutiny, and a voice for the disadvantaged. Transformative journalism has its roots in environmental journalism, which emerged in the 1960s and focused on exposing environmental disasters and pollution. Climate change coverage also plays a significant role in transformative journalism, with a small group of specialized climate journalists leading the way. Mainstream media has not consistently covered climate change, and attention to ecological issues fluctuates over time. For instance, stories that need to be told by journalists on Africa's environmental crisis include: soil erosion, flooding, salination, agricultural land encroachment, drought, and extreme temperature conditions, among others. In recent years, environmental journalism in Africa has become more tech-savvy, with increased data usage and initiatives to support conservation journalism. Collaborations between organizations have played a significant role in strengthening environmental journalism in Africa, resulting in the development of tools like the WildEye reporting tool and training journalists on investigating wildlife crime and climate change. Despite gaps, on this World Press Freedom Day, dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis, we look towards a future where we can tell the story of conservation in Africa comprehensively and in a nuanced way.  #Press #Africa #Journalism #Pressfreedom #Worldpressfreedom

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have taken a significant step in empowering Kenyan journalists to effectively report on climate change. Through a recent workshop, journalists from various media houses were equipped with the tools and knowledge to: 1. Identify and report on climate change stories 2. Debunk climate misinformation 3. Advocate for climate justice By strengthening the capacity of journalists, this initiative aims to foster a more informed and engaged public discourse on climate change. #ClimateJournalism #MediaTraining #Kenya #ClimateChange #Journalism

🌱 What role can journalism play in the environmental crisis? 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka’s Newsfirst.lk has been raising awareness about environmental issues, including deforestation, climate change, and habitat loss, fulfilling of informing the public, despite multiple obstacles and the dangers it can present. "The media in Sri Lanka has also played a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of the youth, who witness environmental issues and speak out. News 1st is not just a brand, but a medium for these youths to make their voices heard, in protecting the environment. Read full insight ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eRrU9GFr

Environmental defenders are nature’s truest allies. Journalists are some of the most important defenders we have. This year World #PressFreedom Day focuses on journalism in the face of the #EnvironmentalCrisis. Environmental journalists unearth stories ranging from illegal logging and mining, to pollution and land conflicts. They raise up the voices of underrepresented communities and provide access to critical information. Yet oppression of these defenders is increasing. In 2022, at least 88 journalists were killed for doing their jobs – a sharp increase on preceding years. As UN Environment Programme says in our latest story, journalists save lives and the truth. Protecting them matters more than ever: https://lnkd.in/dGDzT_2f UNESCO

UNESCO report reveals 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work "A new report published by UNESCO on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, warns of increasing violence against, and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate disruption. At least 749 journalists or news media reporting on environmental issues have been attacked in the last 15 years, and online disinformation has surged dramatically in this period. UNESCO is calling for stronger support for environmental journalists and better governance of digital platforms." https://lnkd.in/e3UZP9Qi With the "Green" mining boom, attacks on environmentalists and indigenous communities are multiplying.

Renowned as the best-known investigative journalist, #ChaiJing is known for her impactful work on #environmental issues, particularly her documentary "Under the Dome." 🎬🌍 This documentary, released in 2015, exposed the severity of #airpollution in #China and sparked widespread discussion. 👀🧐 However, she has evidently focused on collective action by citizens as the major source of change to control rising #pollution.🤝🏻🙌🏻💫 Watch her documentary from the link the comments!🔗👇🏼 #environmentalcrisis #pollutioninchina #climatechange #environmentdocumentary

Friday, 3 May is World Press Freedom Day, which this year is dedicated to the importance of journalism amid a series of mounting environmental crises. Environmental journalists are often the chroniclers of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Many report on hidden issues such as illegal logging and the theft of freshwater. In recent years, a growing number of environmental journalists have faced harassment, assault and even murder. Research suggests that more than dozens of environmental journalists were killed in the past two decades, making it the most dangerous journalism field after war reporting. “Environmental journalists are on the front lines of the triple planetary crisis,” says Andrew Raine, Deputy Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Law Division. “And it has never been more important to access reliable, fact-checked information.” It is not just traditional reporters who face reprisals. Also facing threats are citizen journalists, many of whom are Indigenous Peoples trying to protect their land from predatory corporations and local authorities. According to the environmental group Global Witness, 1,910 land and environmental defenders were killed between 2012 and 2022. #UN #UNEP https://lnkd.in/dSRt47cn