Panel discussion provides blueprint for environmental reporting and safety
KATHMANDU/May 13: A panel discussion by Media Action Nepal delved into the pivotal role of media and communicators during environmental crises, offering a blueprint for advancing environmental reporting, countering climate misinformation, ensuring the safety of journalists covering environmental issues, and fostering diversity and gender equality in media representation.
Commemorating the 31st World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) along with its press freedom report launch in Nepal on May 3, 2024, Media Action Nepal organized a panel discussion to bring the ideas challenging the entire world, such as climate change, journalist’s safety and gender equality. Panelists from different sectors highlighted the crucial role of journalists and communicators.
The Panel also provided a blueprint to combat climate disinformation, outlining the roles of governments, the media, academia and researchers, civil society organizations, and digital platforms. Supporting and protecting environmental journalists will contribute to the accuracy of information about the environment and climate change.
The panelists included Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor in Chief of Annapurna Express English Daily, Chun Bahadur Gurung, Journalism Faculty Lead at St. Xavier College, Dr. Heemani Mukhia of Creasion Nepal, and Shree Adhikari, a human rights expert.
Speaking during the discussion, Kamal Dev Bhattarai shared that both journalists and citizens must receive comprehensive climate literacy training. In this rapidly volatile world, journalists must improve their ability to report on cross-cutting issues such as climate change and environmental issues. The government, as well as everyone else, should prioritize their safety. “Because it is not just the media companies they work for. Their commitment is to citizens and the welfare of society as a whole.” He went on to say that climate change and environmental issues have received adequate attention. When responding to a question from one of the participants, he said, “Detailed and evidence-based reporting is required.”
Journalists put their lives at risk by bringing citizens’ issues to light and fighting for them. As a result, it is critical that everyone work together to protect journalists during crises, particularly those involving reporting on environment in the midst of environmental crisis.
Chun Bahadur Gurung, on the other hand, emphasized that the young generation, particularly in colleges and universities, should be having more debates and discussions to have magnified and extensive knowledge on such issues. Institutions instructing and teaching young minds should focus on environmental issues so they can go beyond the box and bring rational research and research papers to address the climate crisis and environmental issues, he added.
Highlighting that young people should be given more opportunities and involved in environmental projects and campaigns, Heemani Mukhia, shared, “As an organization, we have been particularly emphasizing the fight against plastic pollution and the circular economy, attempting to address the mounting threats to our planet posed by plastic pollution. The media and young people will play critical roles in addressing these issues.”
Likewise, Human Rights expert Shree Ram Adhikari said that not only the government but all the stakeholders, including citizens, should be protecting the journalists. Because at first they are citizens and humans, then later they are journalists. So, it is imperative that their human rights must not be encroached upon while they are writing, reporting and fighting for others. “Journalists put their lives at risk by bringing citizens’ issues to light and fighting for them. As a result, it is critical that everyone work together to protect journalists during crises, particularly those involving reporting on environment in the midst of environmental crisis.”
Bal Krisha Sah, a correspondent at the Himalayan Times daily, moderated the panel discussion, which saw a total of 65 participants in attendance.
