Written by Wild Asia on 6 Oct 2011 with 0 comments. Be the first!

The HSBC-Wild Asia Responsible Journalists Programme, now in its second year, aims to promote interesting and holistic environmental and social news reports by inspiring and challenging journalists to look deeper into the root causes of issues and helping them understand the inter-relatedness of the natural world with our daily lives.

Green news doesn't have to be monochromatic!

A study conducted with journalists in Southeast Asia found that the top two environmental-risks issues named by the journalists in their respective home countries were the co-occurring problems of urbanization and industrialization, next to forests and water issues. However, it is interesting to note that urbanization and industrialization were not considered high priority in news coverage.

Why is that so?

Perhaps these issues are not sexy enough. Perhaps journalists meet roadblocks in getting information. Perhaps environmental news is dry, complex and laden with jargon.

But if journalists don't cover these issues regularly, then the public will never know. Readers rely on journalists to provide them with the breadth and depth of environmental issues to help them understand. It is a tough balance to make facts enticing and persuasive!

Journalists understand that they play a role in raising public awareness on environmental and social issues but it needs to go beyond just reporting news. Perhaps with certain restrictions and limitations, such as time, resources or even politics, it is a challenge to provide an extensive story but a challenge must be addressed. In a world where the environment is ailing on an alarming level, it is crucial that we nurture an aware and informed public and journalists are the key towards this shift.

About Responsible Journalist Programme

The Responsible Journalists Programme (RJ) is a partnership programme between Wild Asia and HSBC which started in 2010 and now in its second year running. Built on HSBC's commitments to social engagement and Wild Asia's technical expertise, RJ aims is to inspire positive broad social and environmental change by improving the scope, depth and quality of media reporting of these important issues. The workshops aim to function as a catalyst to inspire media practitioners to create stimulating social and environmental stories that will impact our society.

Objectives of RJ Programme

• To see an increase in environmental and social reporting through published articles (mainstream, online and on the RJ page on WA's website).
• To educate and inspire journalists and the media to look deeper into the root causes of sustainability issues, by helping them understand the inter-related nature of social and environmental problems.
• To create a tangible and practical experience for journalists and the media to learn what is needed when sourcing for information to cover social and environmental stories.

Download the 2009 - 2010 Fact-finding Report here.

Watch this space for details on the Responsible Journalists Programme 2012!