AWiM and Solutions Journalism Network Launch New Course on Reporting Environment from a Solutions Approach

Lagos, Nigeria- The African Women in Media (AWiM), in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network is set to roll out a training program for fellows under the African Environment Journalism Programme. The project is underpinned by the African Green Stimulus Program and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  

Journalists have been invited to pitch environmental stories focused on Africa, especially the gendered aspects of environmental issues. Journalists commissioned to produce stories will have access to training. Given the global conversations around the environment, this is a timely and vital project that ensures journalists are equipped with the solutions approach to environmental reporting. 

“We are pleased to have collaborated with the Solutions Journalism Network to develop this important training that aims to highlight how we are responding to environmental challenges on the continent”, said Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, co-founder and CEO, African Women in Media. “We are grateful to UNEP Africa for supporting the capacity building of women journalists in this way.” 

The training aims to cover the following areas: 

• The basics of solutions journalism reporting 
• Practical and working storytelling techniques and templates 
• Tips on reporting for SoJo and; 
• Quizzes to aid the fellows assimilate faster and better  

“Attendees will discover that solutions journalism is an evidence-based approach that can be used for all beats, all media formats and in all countries,” said Ruona Meyer, the Africa Initiative Manager for Solutions Journalism Network. “We expect our colleagues to also leave these sessions with a clear knowledge of how to achieve quality reporting on responses to environmental challenges. The solutions approach is journalism that takes into account the nuances and realities of our continent, resulting in a fuller narrative about Africa that is instructive, not divisive. 

For more information about the Africa Environmental Journalism Programme and how to pitch stories, visit: https://awimnews.com/the-network/write-for-us/ 

For media partnerships contact, Janet Otieno janet@africanwomeninmedia.com 

To stay updated on this project, follow @RealAWiM on Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter http://africanwomeninmedia.com/subscription-page/  

ENDS// 

For more information, contact: 

Irene Odera, Programme Officer – irene@africanwomeninmedia.com 

About AWiM: 

African Women in the Media (AWiM) is a network for African women working in media industries anywhere globally. We aim to positively impact the way media functions in relations to women, and our vision is that one day women of African heritage will have equal representation in media industries. More information on the organisation can be found at https://africanwomeninmedia.com  

AWiMNews is our niche news website that produces content focused on women’s rights and media. The focus of AWiMNews on the intersection between women’s rights and the media addresses the glaring issue of inadequate coverage of African women’s rights and issues in media discourse. 

About Solutions Journalism Network 

The Solutions Journalism Network is leading a global shift in journalism, focused on what the news misses most often: how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn from their successes or failures. Solutions Journalism Network trains and connects journalists to cover what’s missing in today’s news: how people are responding to problems. 

About the Africa Environment Journalism Programme 

The Africa Environment Journalism Programme in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme means we are developing an environmental beat which is underpinned by the African Green Stimulus Program and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Already, a lot of conversations are revolving around environmental degradation. This is a reminder that one does not have to scale Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to witness melting glaciers or cross over to Uganda’s Mabira Forest to witness deforestation to remind us that the environmental crisis is real. 

What many may not know is that destruction of the environment adversely affects women and girls as it leads to scarcity of resources. Such situations create conflicts leading to gender-based violence and exploitation. Unfortunately, there is not much in-depth coverage on the gendered aspects of environmental issues and when such are reported, journalists usually focus only on event-related topics.