Media outlets of the Arab world, mobilise to cover environmental issues!

The matter of journalistic coverage of environmental issues is THE subject that drives the editorial offices and is the subject of increasing attention from the public. The impact of environmental issues on life and on society, health and the economy mean it is crucial that they are understood by the general public.

Indeed, the acceleration of climate change, the collapse of biodiversity and the publication of scientific studies, as well as the increased sensitivity among the public and the political sphere to the issues of sustainable development, have contributed to making this issue a cross-cutting subject in editorial offices. However, in countries in the Arab World, environmental news and information remains marginal in the media. The subject is often covered sporadically, when there are natural disasters or major international meetings, such as the annual United Nations Climate Change Conferences (the COP), or for reporting on the work of the IPCC.

For journalism that is up to the challenges

Five round tables punctuated this closing forum, moderated mainly by Victor Salama, author, researcher and specialist in the Arab world, and Khaled Sulaiman, author, journalist and specialist in water and environmental issues, in Iraq and more generally in the MENA region:
• Training is already taking action: the role of MediaLab Environment in strengthening professional capacities.
• How should environmental issues be discussed in the media of the Arab world?
• Environmental issues: new media outlets, new formats?
• Social justice standing the test of environmental issues in the Arab world
• How can environmental challenges and economic performance be combined in Arab countries?

As evidenced by the conclusions of the debates, the results of MediaLab Environment are encouraging. This project has helped to raise awareness of the challenges ahead and to encourage the beneficiary media outlets to continue their efforts to deliver journalism that is up to the challenge. It has also contributed to the development of individual, collective and citizen environmental awareness among the populations of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.