Climate Change. What is the Story? And Why Media Coverage Matters.
For African nations and people to seize the opportunities and reduce the risks, everyone will need to know more about climate change. The way the media covers it will affect how well societies deal with the problem.
Climate change will become increasingly important to African journalists, and African journalists will become increasingly important to the global response to climate change.
Climate change is not just a story. It is the context in which so many other stories will unfold. As such, it is not a subject solely for science or environment reporters to cover. That is why it is essential for all journalists, editors and media owners to understand at least the basics of climate change and realise that there is more to it than carbon dioxide and disasters.
According to Sean Holman, Associate Professor of Journalism, “The media must do better. And you have to call on the media to do better. Climate change is not going away. It will get worse before it gets better.”
Contrary to popular belief, this is an issue full of stories that can sell newspapers and attract new audiences online, in print and on the airwaves.
These are all real stories that African journalists need to do better. And if they do not cover the climate crisis with the urgency it demands, then they will be doing injustice to the future generation.
As climate change takes hold, people will demand information about what is happening and what they and their governments can do about it. Wise and responsible media managers will see that climate change presents an opportunity to grow and better serve these audiences.
Three of the media’s traditional roles- informing audiences, acting as watchdogs and campaigning on social issues- are especially relevant. Media coverage will also provide a vital link between the science and the service providers upon which much will depend.
For African journalists, coverage of climate change means several things. At home, it can save lives, change policy and empower people to make informed choices. Through informed reporting, journalists can shine a light on the wealth of activities that people are already undertaking to prepare for climate change.
Internationally, it can bring African stories to global audiences and help encourage the rich and powerful countries, their citizens and the companies based there, to act in solidarity with climate vulnerable communities.
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