WAN-Ifra is celebrating World News Day today with the launch of a new programme to improve climate change journalism.

With the support of Singapore’s Temasek Foundation, they aim to improve the ability of newsoomms to report on the urgent and big issue, says WAN-Ifra Asia director Asia Joon-Nie Lau.

“For journalists, it brings particular challenges,” she says. “Beyond the need to provide the public with information and analysis that is scientifically sound and accurate, journalists need to ensure their coverage is engaging, independent of vested interests and conveys the human story.

“They must also avoid being cast as doomsday prophets, and balance climate change’s real risks and threats with stories of hope and solutions.”

The programme – which seeks to equip newsrooms with capability on science reporting, specifically fresh knowledge, tools and techniques – focusses on solutions-oriented journalism and making climate challenges and solutions relevant to everyday audiences.

Presented virtually, it consists of a six-module workshop to address the central challenges surrounding reporting on the climate crisis and other environmental and sustainability related issues.

The aim is to help participants develop a “personal toolkit” of skills and knowledge, and contribute back to their respective newsrooms’ efforts to uphold public trust, as well as to their communities on the debate on our future well-being and sustainability.

A first run is to be held in September and October, and has already attracted participation of almost 50 journalists from 11 countries across South Asia and the Asia Pacific.

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 is planned for February 2022 to share best practices.

Contact Joon-Nie Lau email joon-nie.lau@wan-ifra.org or phone +65 6562-8440.