Burkina / Environment: 20 journalists trained on the effects of climate change, environmental crime and sustainable development

As part of the "Strengthening investigative journalism in the Sahel" program, the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), in collaboration with International Media Support (IMS), organized a training workshop on "Issues and techniques of investigative reporting on the effects of climate change, environmental crimes and sustainable development" from June 24 to 27, 2024 in Ouagadougou. Twenty journalists took part.

In West Africa, and particularly in the Sahel, issues relating to environmental crime, climate change and sustainable development represent pressing challenges for populations, with direct repercussions on their food security, health and economic well-being. According to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), nearly 45 million people suffer from chronic food insecurity in the Sahel region, due in particular to drought, desertification and climatic instability.

Floods and droughts linked to climate change cause annual economic losses of around $10 billion in West Africa, according to World Bank figures. It is therefore urgent to act. The media are an ally in the fight. Journalistic work helps to raise public awareness of what needs to be done to combat climate change. It's also a way of denouncing all actions that jeopardize the preservation of the environment.

"After this training, I intend to find as many subjects as possible related to this theme. The general media don't talk much about these issues. So we need to do something about that. Journalists need to make people aware of the dangers of climate change," promised web journalist Carine Pierrette Zongo.

The Sahel crisis and environmental issues

The training session was led by Bélélé Jérôme William Bationo, a journalist specializing in climate change and sustainable development. With over 12 years' professional experience, he helped journalists understand that the security crisis in the Sahel is partly linked to a lack of resources for the population. Bélélé Jérôme William Bationo confided that there is a lot of trafficking going on at certain gold-mining sites. There are also cases of corruption. He therefore invited journalists to become more involved in this type of issue in order to prevent conflicts and preserve the environment, which will contribute to the well-being of the Sahel's populations. The trainer also advised journalists to contextualize the subjects they wish to cover. Media professionals from Mali and Niger also benefited from the training. All participating journalists applied for a call for applications.

Source: lefaso.net/