…Urge media to improve public understanding, promote climate literacy

Media experts have called for stronger investigative journalism and sustained public engagement on climate change, warning that inadequate coverage could limit citizens’ understanding of environmental risks and weaken accountability for actions needed to address them.

They made the call at a side event organised by the Pulitzer Center during the fourth African Climate Forum in Abuja, where they examined how public-interest journalism could connect climate reporting with civic participation, education and practical solutions.

The experts said climate change should receive greater prominence in newsrooms, with reports explaining its implications for livelihoods, public health, infrastructure and security rather than treating it as a specialised environmental issue.

Afy Malungu, Africa Outreach Senior Programme Manager at the Pulitzer Center, said the impact of journalism should extend beyond publication to engaging audiences and stakeholders capable of responding to the issues exposed.

She explained that the centre identifies communities affected by reported issues and connects investigative findings with relevant stakeholders to encourage informed public discussion and action.

“We do not simply allow a story to appear in the media and leave it there,” Malungu said, stressing the importance of audience engagement in ensuring that journalism contributes to addressing societal challenges.

Opeyemi Alaran, Africa Education Freelancer at the centre, said climate reporting could also strengthen climate literacy by helping students understand the links between environmental changes, economic hardship, migration and insecurity.

He cited a report by Abdulaziz Okumor on fish resources in the Niger Delta, which examined the economic challenges confronting fishing communities and informed classroom activities in 2024 on the relationship between climate change, livelihoods and insecurity.

Alaran also referenced a report by Precious Williams on poorly designed drainage systems and flooding, which highlighted the potential health consequences of floods and the pressure they place on hospitals.

According to him, such reports make complex environmental issues more accessible by showing how climate-related challenges affect everyday life and encouraging students to consider practical responses.

He added that professionals, including architects, urban planners and engineers, had important roles to play in developing infrastructure and solutions capable of strengthening community resilience.

Similarly, Alaba Adeyemi, Head of News and Current Affairs at Hi-Power 102.7 FM, urged media organisations to give climate change greater prominence, lamenting that coverage was often limited or relegated to less prominent newspaper pages.

He said journalists should explain the implications of climate change in accessible language, highlighting its effects on household finances, public health, livelihoods, infrastructure and governance.

Adeyemi also advocated increased reporting in indigenous languages, including Hausa, to make climate information accessible to audiences who might not readily understand technical discussions presented in English.

While urging journalists to hold governments accountable for their responses to climate-related challenges, he said reporting should also encourage shared responsibility among public authorities, communities and individuals.

The session, moderated by Francesca Ekondaho, Africa Outreach Programme Coordinator at the Pulitzer Center, explored how public-interest journalism could amplify the experiences of affected communities and strengthen citizens’ participation in climate decision-making.

The discussions underscored the need for sustained, accessible and solutions-oriented climate reporting that informs the public, scrutinises responses to environmental challenges and encourages practical action towards building resilient communities.