There is an unprecedented need for reliable information to encourage an informed democratic dialogue on how to tackle the environmental crisis and achieve climate justice. At the same time, there is also a growing desire for stories that inspire solutions for a better future.
IMS is strengthening our focus on the coverage of the environmental crisis in the countries where our partners are placed and where people are particularly exposed to the consequences of the changing climate.
IMS collaborates with media partners – from West Africa to Indonesia, Syria to Ukraine – in countries that are disproportionately impacted by armed conflict, humanitarian crises, rapid political change, authoritarian rule and not least the environmental crisis.
In these difficult contexts, IMS’ builds our approach to the environmental crisis on:
IMS’ approach to the environmental crisis is based on needs and opportunities expressed by our partners. The core of our approach is to collaborate with partners to develop new media formats and types of content that can be used by the public to strengthen societal climate resilience, promote climate accountability and counter climate and environmental disinformation by working holistically with media outlets.
Many IMS partners operate in places where both corporations and state actors exploit the environment, emphasising a critical need for accountability measures. Fact-based accountability journalism sheds light on corrupt and illegal activities linked to environmentally harmful practices and the authorities and private corporations involved. Support for our partners can include convening different partners to promote collaborative efforts, conduct training sessions, introduce methodologies and experiment with digital tools.
Reporting on environmental crises, disasters and failures can lead to despair and apathy among audiences, who may feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental problems and simply avoid following the news. To combat news avoidance, constructive journalism highlights successful efforts, innovative solutions and actionable steps, and encourages individuals, organisations and governments to contribute and act for a better environment. IMS supports and assists our partners with this approach as it plays a vital role in raising awareness, inspiring action and empowering communities to address pressing environmental challenges.
False, misleading or incomplete information regarding ecological issues, climate change, biodiversity and sustainability has become widespread. It can distort public understanding and hinder efforts to address environmental challenges. IMS looks to strengthen our collaboration with our partners when it comes to combat this climate and environmental disinformation through capacity building of journalists and factcheckers with the use of open source intelligence, detailed audience research and verification tools. This not only increases media’s ability to reach targeted audiences with factchecked content but can also lead to actions taken against those behind the greenwashing and disinformation.
Journalists covering environmental and climate issues are at heightened risk of physical attacks and murder, arrest, intimidation and legal harassment. Environmental controversies often involve complex nexuses of influential business interests, political power battles, criminal activities and corruption, plus politically, culturally and economically sensitive issues concerning indigenous rights to land and natural resources.
IMS looks to support our partners by focusing on developing and promoting risk assessments and safety manuals attentive to the specific risks climate and environmental journalists face.
IMS helps our media partners either develop or strengthen strategies for covering the environmental crisis. Environmental journalism strategies look to create clear goals and measurable success criteria for coverage as well as pinpoint clear challenges and solutions. This strategic approach focuses on capacity-building efforts that span the respective organisations, ensuring strong connections between production, dissemination and sustainability.
The Environmental Reader explores IMS’ partners’ evolving coverage of environmental and climate issues and concerns.
