Climate Change : Journalists Called To Play Their Role

The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to its future generations. People need to know about this.  Journalists have a key role in informing and educating the population. Local, national and global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice. Through their work, people will come to understand the plight of the planet, and will be mobilised and empowered to take action for change. It is within this backdrop that the Ministry of Communication yesterday May 2, organised a panel discussion on the theme: "The role of the media in addressing the challenges of climate change in Cameroon.” The event, was in prelude to the World Press Freedom Day, which takes place today, May 3, 2024 on the theme: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental.” Moderating discussions was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Professor Felix Zogo.
While opening discussions, Prof Felix Zogo said the World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. He reiterated that it is time for journalists to reactive their mission of educating, sensitising and informing all actors involved in preserving the environment. He explained that media practitioners need to be engaged and contribute to fight against activities that destroy the environment. “Journalists should be agents for development. Press liberty should contribute to development and to build the wellbeing of society,” the Secretary General noted. 
One of the panellists, the Regional Advisor of Communication and Information Sector at the UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa, Nejib Mokni reported that in the past 15 years, there have been some 750 attacks on journalists and news ou...