Journalism and the environment
13. What is the environmental journalism of tomorrow? /
So here we are at the end of our series on environmental journalism. Before we leave, let’s think about the journalism of tomorrow. A journalism that reconnects with its fundamentals while enriching itself with the tools and techniques available today.
The fundamentals? Facts, facts and more facts. Check them by allowing time, by going into the field. That’s what makes for a good story. And for this, a journalist has essential tools and techniques such as fact checking, much talked about in this age of social media. Systematically verify the accuracy of facts, figures and statements through dates, authors, comparison of photos, videos, etc.
Data journalism and geo-journalism – along with the open statistics we have now – will need to complement any investigative work. Using dynamic and interactive data visualisation tools (such as animated maps or infographics) to reveal environmental crimes should no longer be considered an exception.
In this time of digital media transformation, journalist Mojo (Mobile Journalism) will become a key figure. Because being a journalist in the field is even better when he is able to cover news with his smartphone with videos, photos, sound to transmit information in real time. This augmented journalism can, of course, continue from Sojo, Solution Journalism, which extends investigations to show how to heal the wounds that have been denounced from the keyboard.
This journalism is all the stronger as investigations are often shared. Investigating as a team, collaboratively – like the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Disclose in France, InfoNile in Africa, Forbidden Stories and many other networks – will often be more impactful than a single pen. Especially in countries where it is not good to highlight environmental crimes.
Finally, the journalist of tomorrow could not exist without journalists. So protect yourself and don’t hesitate to contact Reporters Without Borders if need be. The environmental journalist can be as disturbing as any of his colleagues. And all these added values that we’ve mentioned would be nothing without the most important one, which is you.
A CFI project in partnership with France Médias Monde