Let's be agents of change in climate reporting – Media owners

 

The Media Owners Association has urged journalists to go beyond reporting and participate in the fight against climate change.

Chairperson and the Star newspaper Chief Operating Officer Agnes Kalekye said it's time the media embraced its responsibility as storytellers "using our words and images to paint vivid pictures of the challenges we face and the solutions within our grasp".

Kalekye was speaking on Thursday during the World Press Freedom Day at The College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.

"As the media industry, our role in this fight is not merely to observe and report. It’s to be agents of change, catalyst for information," she said.

"Let us embrace our responsibility as storytellers. We must be willing to take a stand, ask tough questions and tell stories that need to be told. We need journalists who are committed to accuracy to fairness and to the truth."

Kalekye at the same time challenged the media to amplify the voices of those who are fighting for climate justice.

She rallied media owners to commit to supporting journalists who report on climate issues saying this would create a press that is truly committed to climate.

"We must amplify the voices of those on the frontline of this crisis, let us give platforms to indigenous communities, environmental activists and scientists who have dedicated their life’s to preserving our world,' she said.

Kalekye emphasised the need to hold those in power accountable for their actions and inactions.

She urged journalists to shine a spotlight on policies and practices that contribute to environmental degradation.

"Moreover, we just educate and empower our audiences, equipping them with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and embrace sustainable lifestyle," she added.

Kalekye said through storytelling, the media can inspire individuals and communities to take collective actions and foster a global movement towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) president Zubeidah Kananu echoed her sentiments saying the media should go beyond the primary roles of informing, educating and entertaining audiences.

"Today, media must analyse and interpret issues, calling audiences to action and speaking truth to power," she said.

Kananu stated that journalists should remain committed to doing stories that expose irresponsible actors leading to climate injustice, be it the government or the people.

"We will continue to demand transparency in governance a greater good. We will continue to critically analyse the policies and the laws we are implementing to ensure they serve the greatest good of the greatest majority of the people," she added. 

The KEG president said beyond this, the media should "shift the gears a little".

"We want to take this conversation to the communities, the citizens and Wanjiku. The people remain the most important cog in the wheel of governance. It is them to who we owe allegiance! We are Wanjiku's Watchdog!" she observed.

Kananu noted that it is time media found more effective ways of empowering the public to take action and to own up to their collective responsibility as a country for a better future. 

"We must take deliberate steps to engage them at their levels, step up the engagements, innovate on the mode of engagement and use new media tools and innovations to mobilise action and drive policy reforms," Kananu said.

"Through our reporting and community engagements, we must now aim to cultivate the spirit of individual responsibility." 

by SHARON MWENDE