World Press Freedom Day 2024: A Press for the Planet - Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis

Every year, countries around the world commemorate the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) to celebrate the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, reflect on the existing challenges for public interest media and chart a path forward together with all stakeholders. This year’s theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis”, addresses journalism’s critical role in climate action—raising public awareness, shedding light on existing and potential solutions, and holding those in power accountable. 

Climate justice and democracy would be impossible to attain without a guarantee for press freedom and the existence of independent, professional, and pluralistic media. By amplifying diverse voices—including indigenous communities, scientists, activists, and youth—and exposing environmental crimes, journalists can ensure that policy- and decision-making remain inclusive, just and transparent. In the most affected coastal and rural areas, the work of independent broadcast media, which often serve as the primary source of news, is key in helping people to make informed choices, and thus to successfully implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. When a disaster strikes in these areas, community radios are one of the few means to communicate lifesaving information to the public in due time. 

As an archipelagic nation located in the Ring of Fire with some of the most diverse ecosystems, Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Factors such as limited awareness and understanding, resource constraints, media ownership, and safety risks are the key challenges that climate journalism faces. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from media organizations, journalists, civil society groups, and government agencies. This includes promoting press freedom, enabling journalists’ access to public information, investing in journalism training, building climate coverage strategies at newsroom level, and supporting cross-sectoral and transboundary collaborations for investigative reporting and solutions-oriented journalism. 

The WPFD celebration in Indonesia is organized by UNESCO in partnership with the British Embassy in Jakarta. This event brings together over 100 representatives from the government, the media, the academia, and the civil society to discuss current challenges and opportunities for climate journalism in Indonesia. This event will be dedicated to discussions about the role of media in national climate action and disaster risk reduction plans, accessing public information and scientific data, and combatting climate disinformation.

• Raise awareness among government agencies and civil society about the critical role of media in climate action

• Analyze the challenges and opportunities for climate journalism

• Enhance the skills and knowledge of at least 25 senior news executives and editors on the best practices and new technologies for impactful climate reporting 

• Facilitate dialogue and potential collaboration among all stakeholders – journalists, policymakers, activists, researchers, scientists – to improve climate coverage and raise public awareness

The WPFD session will be open to public and consist of two panel discussions with speakers representing a diversity of sectors as well as two sharing sessions during which the media will shed light on underreported stories and innovative collaborations.

The session will be organized in hybrid mode (i.e. it will comprise both in-person sessions and selected virtual sessions, the latter via Zoom conferencing). Interested parties should register in advance of the sessions commencement date, both for in person and for online attendance. Due to limited capacity of the venue, in-person registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are also expected to self-fund their in-person attendance.

The WPFD commemoration will take place on: 10 July 2024, 12.00pm

at the National Library, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 11, Jakarta Pusat.