3rd African Media Convention: Media Must Fight Climate Change Crisis in Africa-Frema Opare
The Chief of Staff Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare has urged the media and stakeholders to combat the climate change crisis in Africa.
She said the harsh climate conditions in Africa required the needed efforts from the media and stakeholders to tackle it.
The Chief of Staff, who represented the President was speaking at the Opening ceremony of the 3rd African Media Convention held in Accra on Thursday(May 16, 2024).
“The theme for this Convention ‘Enhancing Freedom, Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability in a Dynamic Media Landscape’, could not have come at an opportune time, for the African media to interact and deliberate on the role of journalists, in combating both climate change and environmental crisis in Africa.
The press, which is considered as the fourth estate of the realm, constitutes a segment of society that has an indirect but influential role in political systems under democracies. In the area of climate change, journalists play a crucial role in countering false narratives on climate change and environmental crises through proactive, accurate, and objective reporting”, she said.
According to her research has estimated that the impact of climate change on the African continent would be worse than slavery and colonialism, and thus, behoves on the African media to accept its role in combating climate change and its attendant environmental crisis.
Madam Opare also called for protection of Journalists who report on environment , expressing government’s commitment to ensure press freedom and protect the interest of Journalists.
” I also urge that we strengthen collaboration between media organizations, civil society organizations, governments, and international bodies to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression. We must equally use the occasion to deliberate on sustainability of media practice in Africa as well as raise awareness regarding threats faced by journalists and communication workers reporting on the environment”, the Chief Staff said
The 3-Day 3rd African Media Convention-Accra 2024 which begun on May 15, ends on Friday May 17 with President Akufo Addo gracing the ceremony coupled with a special Dinner with the foreign guests.
Source:NewsFlashAfrica.Com
