World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3. It is exclusively dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression and of the press. This year, the celebration will be focused on the context of the current global environmental crisis aggravated by the challenging times in the present landscape caused by the rapidly changing landscape in digital technology.
The climate and biodiversity crisis in the world is not only affecting our environment and ecosystems but also the lives of billions of people in both urban and rural communities thereby affecting the way of life of the people and forcing them to work on the unpredictable changes that transpire because of evident damages inflicted on the environment by no less than human practices and behaviors.
The stories of upheaval and loss in our environment deserve to be known and shared, especially by journalists, who enjoy the distinct power to dictate the narrative to drumbeat the urgent efforts to preserve and protect Mother Earth from being inflicted with further damages and make people suffer the consequences of their environmentally-critical actions. The said stories are not always good to watch, hear or read as they can even be disturbing, alarming and even threatening that cause people to show concern on the ongoing global efforts to preserve and protect the environment which is now the call of the present times. However, it is important for the people to know and understand that individual and collective action is important in coming out with potential solutions to the evident problem of our environment which is the rapid deterioration of its state that poses a serious threat to all creatures.
Journalists in the global village must lead the way in exposing environmental crises in all its forms and aspects to help all stakeholders in finding the appropriate solutions to effectively and efficiently addressing the dangerous situation of our planet. It is through their work, courage and their perseverance that people will be made fully aware of what is happening to our dear planet. Media personalities should be always at the forefront in the snowballing battle for the better health of Mother Earth and our struggle for livable lives and communities around the world.
As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day this year, let us give recognition and celebrate the work of our journalists in helping the world shape a better and brighter future for our planet.
Another rapidly snowballing threat to the world’s media profession is misinformation and disinformation which now evidently challenges scientific research methods which journalists must have to be wary about. Indeed, misleading and false information about climate change can, in most cases, foster doubts and incredulity about pressing environmental issues, their impact and urgency, and undermine efforts to address them. The misinformation and disinformation about environmental issues can also lead to lack of public and political support for climate action among our people, effective policies and the protection of the vulnerable communities affected by climate change, as well as of women and girls, as climate change tends to worsen existing inequalities.
We believe that the emerging threats to the journalism profession is significantly affecting our campaign for true and fair reportage. It is high time that we regain the trust and confidence of the public by providing them with true and accurate information on the latest trends in the world so that they will be at our backs during these difficult times. We cannot afford to lose track of the fact that we are the guardians of transparency and accountability and we make public servants accountable on what they are doing for the welfare of the people that they serve.
Let us elevate our reportage to a higher level and make media an instrument of change while maintaining the country as a safe haven for journalists. It must start now because we need to turn the tide of the rapidly changing landscape in the digital ecosystem.
Much have been said about the worsening threats to the media but what matters is that we cannot afford to get lost on our way so that our profession will still remain significant even with the rapidly changing landscape. Let us not allow individuals peddling as journalists to takeover the profession that we have nurtured through the decades. Let us put premium on what is just and right and dissuade the public of misinformation and disinformation as they have no place on the planet.
We need to act now before it will be too late as the digital technology is now within our midst and posing a serious threat to our age-old profession. We can co-exist with digital technology but it should not takeover our jobs and the skills and knowledge that journalists have earned through good and bad times.