‘Protect environmental journalists now more than ever!’

In an article released by the UNEP on its official website, the organisation expressed its dedication to the importance of journalism amid a series of mounting environmental crises.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system.

In its report, the wing of the UN narrated that environmental journalists were often the chroniclers of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste- saying that many report on hidden issues such as illegal logging and the theft of freshwater.

“In recent years, a growing number of environmental journalists have faced harassment, assault and even murder. Research suggests that more than dozens of environmental journalists were killed in the past two decades, making it the most dangerous journalism field after war reporting,” read the report.

Andrew Raina, the Deputy Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Law Division said environmental journalists are on the frontlines of the triple planetary crisis.

“And it has never been more important to access reliable, fact-checked information,” said Raina.

Worth noting is that in Eswatini, environmental journalism is still a growing beat- especially with more climate disasters including storms, tropical cyclones, torrential rainfalls, and heat waves threatening the country. However, there are no official records of environmental journalists being harassed or put in danger while in the line of duty.

When sought for comment, Eswatini Climate Change Expert Rex Brown told the publication that he agreed with UNEP’S plea, stating that environmental journalists were needed now more than ever.

“There is growing knowledge on climate change and disasters, biodiversity loss and invasive species, pollution, and related issues. People listen to journalists and their articulation is needed. The growing climate crisis is placing journalism at the heart of the green movement. Now is the time to grow and protect environmental journalism,” commented Brown on UNEP’S stance.

Editors Forum’s Jabu Matsebula, making his comment on the UNEP’S article, said lessons from Covid-19 showed that journalists were declared an essential service with limited protection.

“Many journalists died and were Covid-19 infected in the line of duty. Scientist Dr Mdumiseni Dlamini projects that climate change impacts in Eswatini may include rapid warming resulting in drought even in the normally wet Highveld. Journalists covering water scarcity will likely be confronted with hostilities over competition for water. Warming climate will also push diseases such as malaria and more venomous snakes further incountry. This highlights the need for special measures to ensure the safety of journalists,” commented Matsebula.

According to the UNEP, it is not just traditional reporters who face reprisals. Also facing threats are citizen journalists, many of whom are indigenous peoples trying to protect their land from predatory corporations and local authorities.

UNEP has been working on issues related to human rights and the environment for almost two decades. The organisation is identifying best practices and raising awareness among judicial bodies on constitutional environmental rights.

UNEP is also supporting the negotiations towards the Escazú Agreement, which guarantees people’s right to obtain environmental information and to participate in decision-making that affects their lives and environment.

Since 2018, UNEP has published a guidebook for best practices on environmental rights. Its recommendations include educating companies on their environmental responsibilities and helping develop legal structures that protect environmental rights. In 2023, the United Nations also published a guidance note highlighting how environmental human rights defenders can be better protected.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on May 3 to celebrate the fundamental rights of freedom of expression as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2024, World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.