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Climate Reporting Africa website showcases local journalism tackling the world’s biggest issues

2022-07-25. Showcasing African media outlets who are putting climate reporting at the heart of their journalism, WAN-IFRA Media Freedom launches a brand new web-resource that explores the human impact and environmental challenges that have major consequences for local communities across the continent.

by Andrew Heslop andrew.heslop@wan-ifra.org | July 25, 2022

The new website showcases journalism produced via the support of the African Media Grants initiative, launched across nine African countries between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. The initiative is part of WAN-IFRA’s Strengthening African Media programme, a three-year partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark to support media with their business, editorial, and safety needs.

Over 160 applications were made to the grant fund, with a total of $270,000 awarded to 27 successful media partners across Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The web-showcase launched today features work from each of the recipients, allowing users to explore the coverage and investigate issues by a particular theme or country. In addition, links to practical resources and other grant opportunities make the website a useful tool for journalists and media organisations interested in pursuing climate change reporting.

“Too frequently, global conversations around climate change are dominated by Western narratives. This initiative ensures that African voices and perspectives are leading our understanding of the challenges facing the continent,” said WAN-IFRA Senior Project Manager, Mariona Sanz.

“The range of issues explored by our media partners via this grant initiative shows not only the scale of the climate reporting challenge, but also the strong desire to tackle it via quality journalism in a way that can have real impact on, and engagement with local communities.”

The web-resource also features essays from thought leaders from across the continent on why environmental reporting by local media is such an important partner in the climate change conversation. 

Contributions from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Pulitzer Centre – Rainforest Journalism Fund, the Earth Journalism Network, and the Constructive Institute demonstrate the critical work they are engaged in and the role of local media in supporting this.

Visit https://climatereporting.wan-ifra.org/ for more information.

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