Media plays a crucial role in tackling the environmental crisis, says CS Owalo – Kenya News Agency

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, has called on the media to continuously highlight vital issues related to environmental crisis and conservation.

Owalo said the media must be a crucial ally in promoting environmental sustainability as the reality of climate change, driven by human activities such as excessive greenhouse gas emissions and extensive land use changes, is undeniable.

In a speech read on his behalf by Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Edward Kisiang’ani during the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day and annual media summit on Thursday, Owalo said the media has a crucial role to play in dealing with an unprecedented environmental crisis in raising awareness and highlighting public debate for meaningful change.

The CS said that to achieve sustainable development, it was necessary for journalists to report accurately and timely on environmental issues and their consequences, as well as on possible solutions.

He said that through the media prioritizing environmental issues in their reporting, they have helped shape a national consciousness that values ​​and actively engages in the prevention of our planet.

“Journalists have a responsibility to hold all stakeholders accountable, whether government, business or citizens,” he said, adding that the media’s role in educating the public about the implications of these changes now is more important than ever.

Owalo noted that challenges such as the complexity of scientific terms often lead to public misunderstandings and disinterest in issues such as environmental conservation and climate change reporting.

“It is critical for journalists to simplify this information to keep the public engaged and motivated to push for comprehensive environmental sustainability and policies,” he said.

Owalo said the Kenyan Constitution underlines the importance of media freedom and the government recognizes these are fundamental rights.

“The government encourages the media to cooperate with us in environmental conservation and efforts,” he said, adding that it is the duty of the media to recognize and engage duty bearers to improve our environment, and to applaud everyone who contributes to a healthy environment.

The CS said the government has started promoting new mitigation measures to address the negative effects of climate change.

“As we leverage the press’s influence on environmental stewardship, writers and policymakers must work together to illuminate the path to a sustainable future for the planet,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer, Media Council of Kenya David Omwoyo said we need a comprehensive policy review framework to create an enabling environment that enables a thriving environment and prevents disruptions in the media sector.

“The future of media is not bleak as there are strategies that can be adopted to ensure their sustainability and shape the future of media in the country,” he said.

He said the council in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held the summit to provide a platform for stakeholders to come together to reflect on the role of journalism in protecting of the planet.

“With at least 300 TV stations, 200 radio stations and 9,000 accredited journalists in Kenya, there is much more that has happened positively in the media landscape,” he said, adding that the day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression . in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

The CEO called on the media to establish feedback mechanisms that provide audience insights and preferences, including the use of data analytics to understand audience behavior and tailor content to their interests.

“Good journalism is expensive and we must address the challenges that hinder media sustainability in Kenya,” he said.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Information and Innovation, John Kiarie, said the National Assembly is looking into creating an environment conducive to media sustainability and promoting a diverse and vibrant media ecosystem.

“The government reaffirms its commitment to protect journalists, ensure accountability for attacks on journalists and provide redress in cases of press freedom violations,” he said.

Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Lady Justice Martha Koome, said it is essential that journalism goes beyond simply responding to an environmental crisis.

“A proactive, thematic reporting approach that focuses on prevention, mitigation and adoption strategies is crucial in mitigating climate change,” she said in her speech read on her behalf by Justice Gatembu Kairu.

Koome acknowledged the challenges many journalists faced, including censorship, political pressure and sometimes threats to personal safety, and called for a collective duty to defend press freedom, because a free press contributes to a strong and resilient democracy.

“The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, is essentially an ecological document. It examines each of us, regardless of our profession, to embody and advance the principles of transformative environmental constitutionalism,” she said.

The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations are held annually on May 2. The theme for WPFD 2024 is ‘A press for the planet: journalism in the face of the environmental crisis’.

The top and the WPFD will culminate in the 12^e Annual Journalism Excellence Award (AJEA), which strives to recognise, acknowledge, inspire and promote media excellence in Kenya.

By Anita Omwenga