The world is facing an unprecedented environmental emergency, and journalists are paying the ultimate price for reporting on it. According to UNESCO, over 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets covering environmental issues have been reported in the past 15 years, with the frequency of such attacks rising.
Dozens of journalists covering illegal mining, logging, poaching, and other environmental issues have been killed in recent decades, with many more facing harassment, censorship, and legal persecution. The majority of these crimes go unpunished, leaving families and colleagues without justice.
Despite the danger, environmental journalists continue to play a crucial role in exposing environmental degradation, holding those responsible accountable, and mobilizing the public to take action. Local, national, and global media outlets are highlighting stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice, educating and empowering people to take action for change.
However, powerful interests are pushing back against environmental journalism, using legal processes to censor, silence, detain, and harass environmental reporters. A new era of climate disinformation is also undermining proven solutions, including renewable energy.
The United Nations recognizes the invaluable work of journalists and media professionals in ensuring that the public is informed and engaged. Without facts, we cannot fight mis- and disinformation. Without accountability, we will not have strong policies in place. And without press freedom, we won’t have any freedom.
On World Press Freedom Day, we call on governments, the private sector, and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world.
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