New programme seeks to strengthen climate change journalism

The Temasek Foundation-Wan-Ifra Journalism Programme seeks to equip newsrooms with capability on science reporting, specifically fresh knowledge, tools and techniques, to improve their coverage of issues impacting our warming planet. The programme focuses on solutions oriented journalism and making climate challenges and solutions relevant to everyday audiences.

Helping journalists enrich their climate change journalism

Targeting journalists and editors from Asia, the virtual programme consists of a six-module workshop training to address the central challenges surrounding reporting on the climate crisis and other environmental and sustainability related issues.

They will participate in workshops to understand the science of climate change, storytelling techniques, how to engage the audience, and navigate misinformation and spin.

“This will help participants develop a personal toolkit of skills and knowledge, and contribute back to their respective newsroom’s efforts to uphold public trust,as well as to their communities on the debate on our future wellbeing and sustainability,” Wan-Ifra said.

Held in September and October 2021, the first run of the programme training has attracted the participation of close to 50 journalists from 11 countries from across South Asia and the Asia Pacific region. Under the programme, a newsroom handbook to help journalists enrich their coverage of climate change will be published in November and shared with newsrooms worldwide.

In addition, a Global eSummit with a focus on journalism and the climate change story will be held in February 2022 to share best practices among newsrooms.