Salam Omer’s Post

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

A strong, independent media is crucial for combating climate change misinformation and empowering Kenyans to take action. However, #climatechange poses a serious threat, but effective action requires clear communication. In Kenya, journalists play a vital role, but it's press freedom ranking is declining. Empowering a free press empowers the public to fight climate change. Let's work together to improve media literacy, support investigative journalism, and protect journalists. - Namarome Walubengo #PressFreedom #ClimateAction Otieno Okande Victor Kapiyo Media Council of Kenya Katiba Institute (KI)

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

Empowering Tanzanian Journalists to advocate for climate ⚠️ This week, we conducted a Journalist Training at Climate Action Network Tanzania with 18 print, radio, and TV journalists from across the country. 📻📺📰 In Tanzania, as in many countries, there is still a significant gap in understanding the causes and consequences of climate change. Media professionals are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by educating the public and urging policymakers to prioritize climate action. Through this training, we equipped journalists with the tools and knowledge to advocate for climate issues more effectively. ✏️🧠 Hearing about the challenges journalists face in communicating climate change and navigating their profession overall was especially eye-opening for me. Despite these challenges, I was inspired by the dedication and resilience of Tanzanian journalists. Their commitment to their work reminded me of the struggles journalists face globally. 💪🏼 If you want to know more about journalism in Tanzania, I can recommend this brief overview from reporters without borders: https://lnkd.in/eFRgj7q2

A free press is the cornerstone of a free society✍️ One of my most hard-hitting experiences from working with environmental activism was when colleagues in Uganda told me they and their families had been threatened after speaking about their work on national radio. The journalists had been too. Working with environmental journalism is one of the most dangerous jobs around, according to a new report by UNESCO It is also one of the most important - enabling us make knowledgebased decisions on how to fix #climatechange and safeguard #nature 💚 #WorldPressFreedomDay «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.» Read the report here👇 https://lnkd.in/dfrJFVu3

2024 World Press Freedom Day Message. As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2024 under the theme "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis," we must consider journalism's vital role in tackling the severe environmental challenges our nation and planet face. Unfortunately, our media's failure to effectively hold the government accountable for critical environmental issues such as illegal mining (galamsey), deforestation, and worsening sanitation is a matter of alarming concern. The ongoing degradation of our water bodies and forests poses significant threats to our environment, as well as to the health and livelihoods of our communities. It is crucial that the media, with its power to expose these harmful activities, inspires society and relevant authorities into action. As a leader committed to building the Ghana we want, I am steadfast in my commitment to fostering a stronger partnership between the government and the media. Together, we will protect our natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Together with the media, we will aim to foster a more transparent and accountable framework that emphasises sustainable development and environmental conservation. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm our dedication to journalism's crucial role in confronting the environmental crisis and shaping a better future for everyone”. #WorldPressFreedomDay #LetsBuildGhanaTogether

More than 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work since 2009, according to a Unesco report, which warns of rising threats against those covering the climate crisis. At least 749 environmental journalists have faced violence and intimidation in the last 15 years, the UN body found. It said that 44 reporters were murdered between 2009 and 2023 but that resulted in just five convictions. Unesco and the International Federation of Journalists, which jointly conducted the research, said that environmental journalism had become an increasingly perilous field. The often-remote and isolated nature of the work, and the subject matter reported on – including fossil fuel companies, mining firms, land grabbing and deforestation – contributed to the danger. https://lnkd.in/gfA3yvkw

🗓️EVENT | “Environmental Journalists on the Frontlines of Democracy” For the first time ever, the theme of World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis." A healthy democracy depends on both a healthy ecosystem and a healthy news ecosystem. But environmental journalists are increasingly under attack around the world, as they seek to document the human and environmental effects of corruption and illegal exploitation of natural resources. In advance of this year's World Press Freedom Day, the Wilson Center Environmental Change and Security Program, in partnership with the Society of Environmental Journalists, will celebrate the important role of environmental journalism and highlight the need to protect journalists around the world from surveillance, censorship, oppression, and violence. Future Council of the Society of Environmental Journalists Director Meaghan Parker and Jon Sawyer, Executive Director at Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, will have a conversation highlighting these important topics and providing their expertise. Click the link below to learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3xuYNtY #Journalism #EnvironmentalJournalism #Environment #ClimateChange #Democracy #WorldPressFreedomDay 

The Peace Journalist's Diary #WorldPressFreedomDay For close to two years this public stand tap in the Bonaberi Street neighborhood, Buea Town hasn't supplied water, #SDG6. Children as young as 5, trek long distances daily to fetch water. Sometimes, their water search is unsuccessful. Over 200 homes depend on his tap for water. "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis" is the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024. It resonates with the environmental crisis and human suffering around us. We must leverage on this year's theme to diversify our journalism to accommodate contemporary issues and challenges. We must reflect on environmental issues and resolve on how journalism can contribute in safeguarding sustainable environments. Journalism should deploy needful contents, that inform the local populace about the problems and solutions facing their environment. Today, we are proud of the Press Corps the world over and we celebrate their great contributions to humanity. #HappyPressFreedomDay #PressForTheClimate #Media4Peace #EnvironmentalJournalism #ThePeaceJournalist UNICEF Spotlight Initiative Committee to Protect Journalists Fondation Hirondelle AGIAMONDO Paul Adepoju Cyril Ramaphosa Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R Eco Friendly Africa Initiative (EFAI) MICT - Media in Cooperation and Transition

In a world facing rapid climate change, access to timely and accurate information is crucial, especially in vulnerable regions like Eastern Africa. Mobile journalism (MoJo) is emerging as a powerful tool to bridge the information gap and empower communities to adapt and respond effectively and enable anticipatory reporting, dissemination and communication of #climateservices #AnticpatoyAction #MobileJournalism #ClimateReporting #EasternAfrica #ClimateChange #CitizenJournalism #CommunityEngagement #RealTimeInformation #MultimediaStorytelling #NECJOGHA