Rutendo Chirume
Journalists in Masvingo have been challenged to prioritise climate change and environmental issues in their reporting as a way of covering up the gap in the information dissemination channel.
Addressing media practitioners during a two-day workshop organised by the EnviroPress at the Civic centre in Masvingo Central Business District (CBD) on February 15-16, Media Consultant Matthew Takaona called upon journalists to fill in the gap by concentrating more on issues that seek to address climate change issues and the environment.
The workshop sought to call on journalist to give attention to issues of environment and climate change which are being ignored as a beat in the newsrooms.
Takaona bemoaned the state at which the media in Zimbabwe lacks coverage on environment and climate change before urging journalists to fill that void by reporting on issues to do with climate change management and conservation of the environment.
“Issues of environment and climate change are considered less important in most media houses because of the political economic situation in media houses where editors and consultant managers would be vying for the mostly sexy stories. The media lack space on environmental reporting but they are very pertinent issues in the ecosystem and therefore news rooms should fill that gap especially in the main stream media,” said Takaona.
He also said environmental issues are very pertinent but as a country there is a huge gap on environment and climate change reporting saying such issues are not given any prominence.
Another facilitator at the workshop, Dr Gift Gwindingwe spoke on the need for protection of natural resources and taken care of.
“Natural resources should be taken care of. Let us manage our own environment hence try not to vandalize them.
“Citizen Journalists should report on issues affecting the environment and avoid the blame game by assuming responsibility towards such issues. Dumping of diapers is a form of witchcraft. The environment needs to be well managed so that we can eradicate poverty as through natural resources, we gain prosperity,” said Dr Gwindingwe.
The topic of discussion during the workshop was Biodiversity and Conservation.
