The Third Roundtable of the African Journalism Educators Network (AJEN) was held in Nairobi from August 26-27, 2024, focusing on the theme, “Sustainable Journalism Education: Rising Through the Tide of Media and a Climate in Crisis.”

The event brought together 80 delegates from fifteen countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Eswatini, Mauritius, Germany, and Norway. These delegates gathered to explore innovative approaches to teaching sustainable journalism amid the growing media and environmental challenges.

The delegates identified several pressing challenges facing the media industry today, including financial pressures, misinformation and disinformation, technological disruptions, political and legal obstacles, and the impact of algorithms on democracy.

Economic issues and job losses within the media sector were also recognized as significant concerns.

In terms of the climate crisis, participants highlighted the profound environmental challenges resulting from human activities such as industrialization, deforestation, pollution, and the overexploitation of natural resources.

These actions have led to climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, presenting not just environmental challenges but also social, economic, and political ones.

Given the urgency of these issues, journalism educators are compelled to integrate sustainable journalism education into their curricula.

Professor Nicholas Oguge from the University of Nairobi articulated the essence of sustainable journalism education, describing it as a process that shapes a generation of communicators committed to truth, transparency, and the public good.

He explained that climate change communication is not just about conveying facts but also about educating, informing, warning, persuading, and mobilizing action to solve critical problems.

This form of communication is influenced by individuals’ experiences, mental models, cultural backgrounds, values, and worldviews.

Professor Oguge noted that much of the current communication on climate change focuses on risks and negative scenarios, which may raise public concern but often fail to motivate people to act.

He emphasized that appeals to reason alone are insufficient, as human behavior is primarily driven by values, beliefs, psychological factors, and social influences.

To enhance the effectiveness of climate change communication, Professor Oguge advised his colleagues to consider several critical factors: understanding the audience, using emotional appeals and social influence to drive engagement, providing clear and actionable steps, and building trust through credible sources and transparent reporting.

He also urged journalists to think critically about the stories they tell, emphasizing the importance of framing stories positively. Rather than focusing solely on despair and inevitability, journalists should highlight stories of hope, possibility, and human agency, emphasizing the choices that can shape a sustainable future.

Participants at the roundtable agreed on the need to teach sustainable journalism with a focus on relevance and responsibility.

They underscored the importance of accuracy, context, and ethical considerations when reporting on environmental issues. Additionally, they acknowledged the necessity of understanding the multifaceted nature of climate issues and reporting on them with depth and nuance.

Recognizing the evolving media landscape, the delegates emphasized the importance of adapting to new media, including training in digital storytelling, data journalism, and the use of social media to reach broader audiences.

Advocacy and impact journalism education were also highlighted, aiming to empower students to produce stories that not only inform but also inspire positive change.

Following discussions on sustainable journalism education, AJEN members held their annual meeting to discuss future plans. They deliberated on ways to improve the network’s performance, including consolidating efforts, developing new projects, and seeking sponsorships to support these initiatives.

The Third AJEN Roundtable marks a significant step forward in equipping journalism educators and students with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of modern media and the global climate crisis.

By fostering sustainable journalism education, AJEN aims to cultivate a generation of journalists capable of rising above the challenges and contributing meaningfully to society’s understanding and response to environmental issues.