Several hundred journalists and dozens of media have signed a charter inviting the profession to change its way of working in the face of the climate crisis and the decline of biodiversity.
Terrible floods in Pakistan, megafires in France – unheard of – waves of heat waves and drought in several regions of the world: these last months have shown that the ecological emergency is there.
In February, in his last reportthe International Panel of Climate Experts, the IPCC, wrote: Social networks and the media can have a significant impact in advancing climate awareness and the legitimacy of the actions taken. Its authors added that the media frame and transmit information on climate change. They play a crucial role in shaping public perception, understanding and willingness to act. »
It is in this context that a group of around thirty journalists wrote a Charter for journalism at the height of the ecological emergency. Made public this Wednesday, September 14, this 13-point text was thought of as a compass for the media and journalists in their information practices.
Some points of the charter relate to editorial treatment, inviting to ” deal with the climate, the living and social justice in a transversal way », « do pedagogical work on sometimes complex subjects or even wondering about the lexicon and the images used “. Others relate to the functioning of the media as businesses: Oppose funding for the most polluting activities », « practice a low-carbon journalist by questioning the ecological footprint of journalistic activities » and continuous training for journalists on ecological issues.
Several hundred journalists have signed this charter as well as dozens of newsrooms – some specialized like Vert.eco or Reporterre, but there is also Mediapart, 20 minutes, Economic alternatives and the media of the France Médias Monde group: RFI, France 24 and MCD. The text received the support of several leading scientists, including the vice-president of the Giec Valérie Masson-Delmotte.
Sunday September 18, 2022 at 11:10 a.m. UT, The media workshop of RFI will be devoted to this charter. One of its editors, Anne-Sophie Novel, will discuss it.