Principles of Reporting on the Environment

Environmental journalism should aim at making the masses understand the complex and dynamic nature of the natural and built environments resulting from the interactions of their biological, physical, social, economic and cultural aspects. Further, it should facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, values, attitudes and practical skills needed to participate in a responsible and effective way in anticipating and solving environmental problems for quality and sustainable living.

Environmental reporting should go beyond the discussions of environmental issues to the analysis of conditions and trends in the environment and their causes, assess and interpret the implications and impacts of these trends to human health, the economy and ecosystems; and provide an assessment of actual and potential societal solutions to environmental problems.

Balanced environmental reporting aims at answering fundamental questions about the interactions between the environment and socio-economic factors, which are significant to policy makers and the public.

UNEP defines at least four fundamental questions for state of the environment reporting. These are;

·        What is happening ?- should give a highlight of the environmental conditions and trends

·        Why is it happening ?- a description of the human and natural causes of these changes is given

·        Are the changes significant?- discuss the health, economic, social and ecological implications of the environmental story to the public

·        What is, or how could we respond? - suggest solutions and the environmental implications of societal responses.

The environmental reporter should increase awareness and understanding of environmental trends and conditions, their causes and consequences among all stakeholders; he should provide a foundation for improved decision making at all levels, from the individual to national governments and international organizations and, facilitate the measurements of progress towards sustainability through the provision of credible information.

The environmental reporter must have a holistic view of environmental issues and understand that environmental reporting is just like any other reporting. The journalist should provide adequate background information on the environmental issues in consideration to enable the audience make informed choices and decisions.

Clear links should be made between all the components, so that the audience understands their stewardship role. This is to make the audience internalize environmental issues and associate with them. It also encourages participation in environmental debates and enhances audience feedback.