WPFD: JMC intensifies discussions on environmental reporting for young journalist
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Students of the department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC), University of Buea (UB) have been schooled during the 31st World Press Freedom Day on various aspects of environmental journalism inorder to tackle issues of climate change.
The event at the UB Open Commons, May 3, 2024 organised by the Association of Student Journalists of the University of Buea, ASJUB, brought together hundreds of JMC students who benefited from the rich expertise of three speakers. This years theme of celebration is; A press for the planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.
Boris Karloff Batata, one of the speakers is an award winning humanitarian journalist. In his discussion, he explained the need for the student journalist to adopt a nitch relevant to the current global concerns. He said the environmental journalist accompanies the people without, before and after environmental disasters. They must be able to paint reality for appropriate actions.
The environment being the habitat of humanity plays an important role in their mental development. This inspired the discussions of Etanh Sidony, another speaker. She used relatable episodes of mishap occurrences to illustrate the turnout for good. “We like it or not, we can’t run away from the fact that climate change is existing and the psychological and social aspect of it follows suit,” Etanh Sidony noted.
The eventful celebrations spiced with debates on the reality of climate change, and talent showcase was presided over by the Head of department for Journalism and Mass Communication. Dr. Nengieh Lizzie, visibly satisfied at the end of the exchange said the theme was relevant and of great significance. “We need to fight against misinformation and disinformation especially when it comes to environmental reporting because it has effects and consequences on our society,” she highlighted.
The Journalism scholar said her department was doing the necessary to arm journalist under training with the knowledge they need to tackle the present environmental concerns. She informed of plans ahead to include such aspects in the curriculum, however noting that they continue for the time being to use such exchanges to that end.
A workshop on Environmental journalism organised by Mongabay the worlds leading environmental news site took place in JMC two months prior. Stakeholders at this flagship training institution are optimistic that their commitment will yield greatly in the near future.
