Environmental journalists have been challenged to dig deeper into activities driving environmental degradation and climate change, with experts saying stronger investigative reporting could expose failures and force greater accountability.
The call was made during a training for 35 journalists from Tanzania’s central zone, where participants were urged to move beyond reporting the effects of climate change and investigate the activities and decisions contributing to the crisis.
Senior environmental editor Deodatus Mfugale said journalists had a responsibility to investigate issues such as deforestation, encroachment on protected areas and water sources, pollution, destruction of grazing land and environmentally harmful mining activities.
“Journalists, go out and conduct investigative reporting to help communities and make the world safer. But ensure your reports are accurate and include the voices of people affected,” Mr Mfugale said.
He said journalists should rely on verified statistics, environmental laws and other evidence when investigating environmental issues, arguing that well-researched reports could help expose wrongdoing and strengthen accountability.
The warning comes as communities in different parts of Tanzania face growing environmental pressures, including droughts, floods, declining agricultural production and damage to ecosystems.
MAIPAC Executive Director Mussa Juma said environmental journalism required accuracy, independence and a clear understanding of the issues being investigated.
He urged journalists to ensure their reports reflect the experiences of communities affected by environmental degradation, particularly women, young people and other groups that are often underrepresented in public discussions.
“Environmental journalists must understand the issue they are reporting on, work independently and ensure that the voices of all groups in society are heard,” Mr Juma said.
He said journalists should investigate how rising global temperatures, prolonged droughts, flooding, declining food production and ecosystem degradation were affecting communities and livelihoods.
The training also highlighted challenges facing women journalists.
THRDC Director of Projects and Operations, lawyer Halima Sonda, called for women journalists to be given equal opportunities to undertake investigative reporting on environmental issues.
Ms Sonda said online harassment and patriarchal attitudes remained among the challenges facing women journalists, potentially limiting their participation in investigative journalism.
She urged women journalists to understand laws protecting them from violence and discrimination and use available legal mechanisms to challenge violations.
The training brought together journalists from Dodoma, Singida, Mbeya, Iringa and Morogoro regions. It was organised by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and the Media for Assistance and Intervention of Communities (MAIPAC), with support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The programme is part of a wider initiative to strengthen environmental journalism, improve journalists’ investigative skills and promote public accountability on environmental issues.
Similar training sessions have already been conducted in Tanzania’s Northern and Lake zones.