Researching on the ground and writing in the media about green issues is becoming an increasingly dangerous activity for journalists, according to the United Nations.
More than 70 per cent of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work since 2009, according to a UNESCO report, which warns of increased threats – to those covering issues such as the climate crisis.
At least 749 environmental journalists have faced violence and intimidation in the last 15 years, the UN body found, issuing its findings on World Press Freedom Day (Friday May 3rd).
Also, 44 reporters were murdered between 2009 and 2023 but that resulted in just five convictions.
The report said: ‘In the face of the global environmental crisis, the importance of environmental reporting cannot be overstated, and thus advocacy groups, journalism networks, donors, multilateral organisations, and other stakeholders must emphasise the need for a free press and the safety of journalists.’
UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalists, which jointly conducted the research, said the frequently geographically remote areas being covered and the subject matter – including fossil fuel companies, mining firms, land grabbing and deforestation – contributed to the danger.
‘The journalists we rely on to investigate this subject and ensure information is accessible face unacceptably high risks all over the world,’
‘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,‘ said Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO.
‘On World Press Freedom Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to defending freedom of expression and protecting journalists worldwide.’
Journalists Assaulted
Physical violence – including assaults, arbitrary detention, murder attempts and abductions – were the most common form of attack, and had risen significantly to 111 incidents in the past five years, up from 61 in 2014-2018 and 45 in 2009-2013.
Through consulting 905 environmental journalists from 129 countries, the survey found that 749 had been attacked, with state sponsored assailants responsible for at least half of the violence.
Male reporters experience all types of attacks more frequently than women apart from digital aggression, the report found.
‘Journalists are fundamental actors in informing our societies about the various angles of the environmental crisis, including climate change, combating the brutal levels of misinformation we have on these issues,’ said Guilherme Canela, the lead report author.
