UNESCO Exposes Alarming Threats to Environmental Journalists Worldwide

On World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO released a sobering report revealing the alarming risks faced by journalists reporting on environmental issues worldwide. The comprehensive study, titled "Press and Planet in Danger," exposes a disturbing trend of violence, intimidation, and censorship against media professionals dedicated to covering critical environmental concerns.

Why this matters: The suppression of environmental journalists has far-reaching consequences for the public's access to reliable information about the climate crisis, and in the final analysis, for the ability to form wise judgments about the planet's future. A free and safe press is vital for holding those in power accountable and promoting sustainable development. The suppression of environmental journalists has far-reaching consequences for the public's access to reliable information about the climate crisis, and for the ability to shape the planet's future. A free and safe press is vital for holding those in power accountable and promoting sustainable development.

According to the report, at least 749 journalists and news media outlets reporting on environmental issues were targeted with murder, physical violence, detention, arrest, online harassment, or legal attacks between 2009 and 2023. Shockingly, 44 environmental journalists have been killed for their work in the past 15 years, with convictions in only five cases, highlighting a staggering impunity rate of almost 90%.

The report reveals that state actors are responsible for at least half of the attacks on environmental journalists, underscoring the urgent need for governments to take action to protect press freedom. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the critical role of journalists in providing reliable scientific information about the ongoing environmental crisis, stating, "Without reliable scientific information about the ongoing environmental crisis, we can never hope to overcome it. And yet the journalists we rely on to investigate this subject and ensure information is accessible face unacceptably high risks all over the world, and climate-related disinformation is running rampant on social media."

The UNESCO study also included a consultation of over 900 environmental journalists from 129 countries, which found that 70% reported experiencing attacks, threats, or pressure linked to their reporting. Two in five journalists who experienced attacks then faced physical violence, highlighting the escalating dangers confronting these brave reporters.

The report further reveals that women journalists are more exposed to online harassment, echoing the trend identified in UNESCO's previous report "The Chilling: global trends in online violence against women journalists." Moreover, a third of journalists surveyed said they had been censored, and almost half (45%) admitted to self-censoring when covering the environment for fear of being attacked or having their sources exposed."

In response to these alarming findings, UNESCO announced the launch of a grants program to provide legal and technical support to over 500 environmental journalists facing persecution. The organization will also introduce new initiatives to promote critical thinking about climate disinformation and improve the regulation of digital platforms, in line with UNESCO's Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms.

The UNESCO report paints a grim scenario of the immense risks faced by journalists reporting on environmental issues, with 44 killed and at least 749 targeted with various forms of violence and intimidation over the past 15 years. The escalating climate crisis necessitates protecting these courageous journalists and ensuring their safety more than ever. UNESCO's initiatives to support persecuted reporters and combat climate disinformation are important steps, but governments and society as a whole must also take decisive action to safeguard press freedom and the vital work of environmental journalists.

Key Takeaways

• 70% of environmental journalists report attacks, threats, or pressure while reporting.
• 44 environmental journalists have been killed in the past 15 years, with a 90% impunity rate.
• State actors are responsible for at least half of the attacks on environmental journalists.
• Women journalists are more exposed to online harassment, and 45% of journalists self-censor due to fear.
• UNESCO launches grants program to support persecuted environmental journalists and combat climate disinformation.