Training for Journalists 'Think of Nature': How to Report on Environmental Issues More Effectively

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A training for journalists on the topic of environmental protection was held at the Hotel „Holiday“ in Sarajevo from 12 to 14 February 2020, as part of the three-year project „Think of Nature!“ implemented by the Centre for the Promotion of Civil Society, and financed by the Government of Sweden in the amount of 3 million convertible marks.

Twenty journalists from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina – from Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Kakanj, Donji Vakuf, Konjic, Maglaj, Žepče, Visoko and Cazin - discussed ways and models of more effective reporting on environmental protection, as well as the problems journalists face in that process. After the introductory panel on the first day of the training, the second day featured a session on the integration of environmental topics into media content. Speakers on the topic included experts from the field - environmental protection advisor on the „Think of Nature!“ project Sabina Jukan, from the perspective of journalistic practice - journalist of the Centre for Investigative Journalism of Serbia Dina Đorđević, while from the perspective of civil society - President of the NGO Eko akcija Anes Podić spoke about the importance of media cooperation with environmental civil society organisations.

Dina Đorđević, winner of the „Marina Kovačev“ award for the best young journalist in Serbia in 2018, believes that environmental topics need to be adequately brought closer to citizens.

„It is evident that all countries in the Balkans, not just Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, face the same or similar problems when it comes to environmental protection. As a legacy of technology from Yugoslavia that is well known to us, we still encounter the construction of mini hydropower plants and air pollution as problems present throughout the region. Many examples show that a good way to bring these topics to the forefront is through networking of media and civil society organisations via cross-border cooperation“, Đorđević emphasised.

For Tarik Kučević from the News Agency „Patria“, such trainings are important, as he said, because they help journalists learn how to view these topics through a scientific and professional lens.

„Citizens who face basic existential problems do not have time to think excessively about environmental protection, therefore it is the media that should point out to them that environmental degradation directly threatens them as well“, Kučević believes.

The training for journalists on the topic of environmental protection concluded with a ceremonial certificate award to participants, preceded by a moderated discussion during which constructive proposals and recommendations for more effective reporting on environmental protection were put forward.

The main goal of the project “Think of Nature!” is to increase the influence of civil society in environmental protection through networking of civil society organisations, institutions, experts, schools, media and youth for joint, synchronised and strong action at the local level. An additional significance of the project is its contribution to the implementation of European Union requirements and international agreements in the fields of environment, climate and energy that BiH has ratified.