World Radio Day 2025: Bridging the Gap in Environmental Reporting

By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna-Northwest

BTvNEWS: As the world prepares to celebrate World Radio Day on Thursday, a climatologist and Assistant Director of the African Climate Reporters, Dr. Piman Hoffman, has sounded the alarm on the lack of dedicated science and environmental journalists in African media.

In a press release issued in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria, Dr. Hoffman emphasized the need for media organizations to prioritize the employment of journalists trained in environmental reporting, citing the crucial role they play in raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable behavior.

According to Dr. Hoffman, “it’s vital for every media organization in Africa to employ journalists trained in environmental reporting to support governments, environmental NGOs, and international organizations in educating the public on environmental challenges and the urgent need to address global warming”.

The expert warned that the scarcity of environmental journalists in Africa poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems, and that the lack of coverage on critical issues such as population growth, sustainability, and climate change has devastating consequences.

Dr. Hoffman stressed that environmental journalists have the power to inspire change by informing the public about the impact of their actions on the planet and encouraging more sustainable behavior. He noted that, “the scarcity of reporters focused on science and environmental issues puts both wildlife and our forests at risk”.

With the theme of this year’s World Radio Day being “Radio and Climate Change”, Dr. Hoffman highlighted the importance of radio in educating global audiences and providing a platform for local voices affected by climate issues. He noted that local radio stations are uniquely positioned to address community-specific environmental challenges and called on media organizations to invest in the training and development of their staff to report effectively on environmental issues.

Dr. Hoffman emphasized that, “listeners often hold valuable knowledge about the effects of climate change, such as pollution from industrial sites or food shortages caused by climate impacts. Their stories can help influence decision-makers and businesses to take action”.

The expert also emphasized that 2025 is a crucial year for tackling climate change, and that collective action from all sectors, including media, is required to limit global warming. He urged media organizations across the 55 African nations to build the capacity of young journalists, encouraging them to specialize in environmental reporting and to raise awareness about the critical environmental issues facing the continent.

By doing so, the media can play a vital role in supporting governments, environmental NGOs, and international organizations in educating the public on environmental challenges and the urgent need to address global warming.