Without reporters telling us about dying rivers, toxic lakes and the errant ways of contractors, builders, developers and industrialists, to name a few, most of us would be oblivious to the damage done to the environment.
And if we do recognise the good that is being done by journalists, bloggers and reporters, we must support efforts to protect them from being harmed and presecuted in the course of their work.
One such effort is taking place right now at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen. Reporters Without Borders (RWB) states that 24 international, regional and national press freedom organisations have issued a press statement calling on world leaders to protect environmental journalists.
The groups are also demanding that environmental journalists be given access to information to cover climate change and the environment.
The signing organisations are also insisting that the media be given the freedom to report on environmental issues — if indeed the world is serious about addressing the challenge of climate change.
By serving as a watchdog on governments, the media can expose the corruption, nepotism and negligence that obstruct efforts to protect the environment.
RWB also affirmed the need for journalists to raise awareness and meet the Rio Declaration’s objective of engaging and involving the general public in decision-making.
In so many ways, the media also helps to maintain pressure on governments to keep their promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
At the press briefing, Vincent Brossel, Head of the Asia desk of Reporters Without Borders, said some delegations in Copenhagen should explain why in their respective countries, journalists and activists investigating environmental issues are jailed, beaten, threatened or censored.
” If Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Burma or Indonesia, for example, do not respect the right of their media to inform on such crucial issues, how we can expect them to really commit to fight the climate change?” he asked.
RWB also quoted another speaker, James Fahn, Global Director of Internews Earth Journalism Network, who pointed out the dangers of working as an environmental reporter. “When climate change reporters move into the field and cover illegal logging and pollution, they face dangers similar to their colleagues covering the crime beat,” he said.
To see or download the call to action, visit: www.i-m-s.dk Contacts: International Media Support: Lotte Dalhmann +45 25543541, email: ld@i-m-s.dk Reporters Without Borders: Vincent Brossel +33 1 4483 8470, email: asie@rsf.org Internews: Saya Oka +45 3048 7597, email: soka@internews.fr
