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As leaders debate climate change GFMD calls for better protection for environmental journalists

Copenhagen, 11 December 2009:  In cooperation with leading press freedom organisations the GFMD today called on world leaders attending the UN Conference on Climate Change to protect environmental journalists and give them access to the information they need to cover climate change and the environment.

“With an increasing number of violent attacks on journalists covering environmental and climate change issues, there is an urgent need for action,” said GFMD Director Bettina Peters. “We call on the international community to give a clear commitment to protecting journalists and to create an environment in which journalists can cover environmental issues in secure conditions.”

The call for action signed by 24 leading press freedom and media development organisations insists that the media must be free to report on environmental issues if the world is to address the challenge of climate change. By serving as a watchdog on recalcitrant governments, the media expose the corruption, nepotism and negligence that obstruct efforts to protect the environment. Journalists are also crucial in efforts to raise awareness and meet the Rio Declaration’s objective of engaging and involving the general public in decision-making.

“Climate change is one of the key stories of our time”, said Bettina Peters. “Many members of GFMD are involved in training and media advocacy programmes to improve global coverage of the environment. Their work needs the support of governments and international institutions.”

The GFMD also supports the Earth Journalism Awards. Fifteen finalists were selected out of some 900 journalists and bloggers from 148 countries who registered to send in their best climate change reports from 2009. Winning stories include: a compelling account from Pakistan of how a small coastal community is responding to the multiple challenges that climate change is already posing them; a multi-media investigation on the use and effects of fire in the Amazon; and a business report from East Africa on how Kenyan companies are missing out on the growing global carbon credits market.  They were chosen through a process involving a globe-spanning, independent jury that involved over 100 media and climate change experts. The public vote to select the final winner is open until December 13th. Votes can be registered at http://awards.earthjournalism.org.

GFMD member International Media Support in Denmark coordinated the call to action. To see or download the full text