African Media urged to help Address Climate change
By Daniel NONOR
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has called for the urgent need for the media to play an active role in addressing the impact of climate change on the African continent.
Delivering a keynote address at the ongoing African Media Convention in Accra , Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare emphasized the devastating effects of climate change, including long periods of droughts, rising temperatures, rising sea levels, floods, and sinking coastal communities.
She stressed the crucial role of the media in enhancing freedom of the press and environmental sustainability, particularly in combating false narratives and accurately reporting on climate change and environmental crises highlighting the indirect yet influential role of the media in political systems, especially under democracies.
“Africans and the media in particular have a special duty to reflect on the exercise of journalism and freedom of expression amid the global environmental crisis.”
The Chief of Staff further urged African media to reflect on their duty amidst the global environmental crisis, emphasizing the responsibility to inform the public about the adverse effects of human activities on the environment.
She called for collaboration between media organizations, civil society, governments, and international bodies to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression.
Additionally , she urged policymakers, international organizations, media practitioners, and representatives of African states present at the convention to emphasize the importance of reliable and accurate information in addressing environmental crises, especially climate change, and its disproportionate impact on Africa.
She called for greater support for the media to enhance their capacity for climate change reporting, envisioning a prosperous future where environmental sustainability and climate-smart reporting drive social and economic advancement in Africa.
The African Media Convention serves as a platform for media organizations and stakeholders to deliberate on the role of journalists in addressing climate change and environmental crises, promoting collaboration, and advocating for a sustainable future for the continent.
This year’s theme is “Enhancing freedom, innovation and environmental sustainability in dynamic media landscape”.
