Sharing climate science in the media

By Rosalie Nongebatu - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
23 May Apia, Samoa - Delegates at the Lessons for Future Action Conference have been reminded of the importance of communicating the Science of Climate in a manner that is culturally considerate and locally relevant.
This was one of the challenges in Communicating Climate Science put forward by the Pacific Climate Change Editor Cherelle Jackson during her presentation under the Information and Awareness Raising Session this morning. Another challenge Ms Jackson pointed out included the lack of knowledge and background in Science by pacific journalists, who usually learn on the job before communicating the information to the community.
“We have to teach and understand the science of climate change and then relate this to our audiences.”
Ms Jackson says although outreach programs and awareness campaigns are of great value to personally communicating the science, the most effective avenue would be the mass media whether it be radio, television, online or newspapers.
According to a study carried out by Ms Jackson at the Oxford University on climate change journalism in the pacific, weddings and food were mostly reported on while climate change and the environment were not a priority. Ms Jackson’s survey was carried out in newspapers produced across five of the pacific island countries.
“This was a curious finding, although unsurprising, as you would think climate change would be a priority issue for pacific island newspapers seeing that they are experiencing first and worst some of the impacts of climate change and you would think their audiences would be interested in the issue.”
Ms Jackson also attributed the low numbers of communicating climate science to three challenges which included the lack of science knowledge by journalists, the need for scientists to communicate information clearly to the media and the lack of access to climate change resources in pacific island countries.
She also quoted a study done by anthropologist Dr Peter Rudiak-Gould on the changing behaviour of the people of Marshall Islands towards climate change as saying that concern for climate change isn’t automatic, even for those in the highly vulnerable areas.
She said according to the research, foreign educators can help by teaching people about the science of climate change but only local educators can help people make sense of the issue in terms of local concerns such as loss of tradition.
Ms Jackson also made a few suggestions when communicating science which include simplifying the science for non specialists to understand, but not to point of irrelavance and not to use jargon.
She also suggested scientists to localise, and humanise the information so that people could understand better.

PADJ invited to speak at regional climate change conference

APIA - Founding Member of PADJ, Samoan climate change journalist Cherelle Jackson was invited to speak at the Lessons for Future Actions meeting on Climate Change in Apia last month. Jackson was the only media representative to speak at the meeting, she spoke on translating the science of climate change to Pacific audiences.

PADJ News: Mona Ainuu awarded SPREP Fellowship

APIA - Niue Journalist and PADJ Fouding Member Mona Ainuu was recently awarded an assignment fellowship with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, to report on the Lessons for Future Actions on Climate Change in Samoa. Mona was one of just two regional journalists sponsored by SPREP to cover the event.

View Niue Election Results

PADJ has set up a page of the latest in the Niue Elections, uploaded and reported by our members in Niue. Visit Special Coverage: Niue Elections to follow the news stream.

Niue Elections: Drumming Up Support on Niue

Niue Blog - The dash to impress voters is on. In the last few days lead-up to the islands general election several candidates have purchased TV air time. Promises include baby payments, annual cost of living  adjustments for public servants and more money allocated for health, education and alternative energy projects. Popular marketing methods include T-shirts, brochures and posters.None of the 17 common roll nor village candidates withdrew from the contest during the statutory time allowed. Broadcasting Corporation Niue is offering candidates a 1-5min one-off advertisment free but additional broadcasts must be paid for.
Polling booths will be set up in each village around the island and open Saturday May 7th 9am to 6pm.

Niue Elections: You Decide Who You Want To Govern.

Niue Blog - With the list of nominations announced for the upcoming Niue Island general elections there is unlikely to be many changes in the island's legislative assembly.
About 650 voters will go to the polls on May 7 to choose six common roll members and elect village members where a vote is required.
Unless any nominations are withdrawn it looks like  Tamakoutoga, Avatele, Vaiea, Liku, Namukulu  and Tuapa seats are safe for the sitting candidates.
In Alofi South, Dalton Tagelagi is being challenged by long time resident plumber Charlie Tongahai - the size of his family may ultimately test the result.
Former premeir Young Vivian will have his camapigning cut out in Hakupu to ensure defeat of former MP and newspaper owner Michael Jackson and Niue Public Service member Malua Jackson. However family allegiences to the challengers are likely to split the vote.
In Lakepa, Kupa Magataogia the sitting MP who has worked hard to develop a community centre and accommodation facility, will be hard to topple although there are two factions in the village. The combatant is Togalilo Konelio.
Mutalau's Bill Vakaafi faces police prosecutor Makaseau Ioane in a shake down. Vakaafi is a former Cabinet Minister and has been active in village farming development.
Past MP Lilivika Muimataga who defeated Dion Taufitu in the Toi constitutency by one vote in the 2005 vote and quit at the last election is back on the hustings along with Hamouli Kaulima a great boxer in his day.
Makefu's ulumatua Charlie Tohovaka , long time public servant, is picked to get favoured over sitting MP Tofua Puletama and Salilo Tongia.
In Alofi North Vaainga Tukuitoga who has held the seat for many years is predicted to be returned although Rozzlyn Hipa a fitness trainer will no doubt give her a good work out.
The common roll with 17 nominees is unlikely to change too much with punters picking Toke Talagi, Terry Coe, Grace Sisilia Talagi, Esther Pavihi and Togia Sioneholo, and Maihetoe Hekau  back in the Assembly benches.
The interest will then turn to the election of a premier... but don't expect any miracles. Hopefully there will be some serious challenge  for the leadership just to add a bit of interest to the election. The leader is chosen by the Assembly as is the Speaker who will be a new face following the retirement of Atapana Siakimotu.

*Special coverage of Niue Elections by Niue Blog

MDGs and development journalism

by Susan Alexander |

As a communicator, the Millennium Development Goals have been both a blessing and burden. The Goals have taken a long time to get any traction in the media. After the 2005 Gleneagles Summit they penetrated the discourse of the “international community”. Amongst activists popular understanding and support for the MDGs was generated through actions like the Stand Up mobilizations, with massive involvement by Southern citizens. IPS worked intensively in its capacity as a development-focused news agency to use the MDGs as a way to get more space and attention for the core issues, and worked with journalists, partners and other media to strengthen communication capacity and impact.
Today such vanguard efforts are being replicated by other news outlets and partners, but with much still to be achieved. For general audiences the MDGs are, at best, jargon to be explained. A recent study of mainstream European newspapers showed just 3.5% of total coverage devoted to development co-operation, and most of that about disaster relief. Using the MDGs as an entry point for development journalism is a good approach but it is still a formidable challenge to get space and attention for development.
On the one hand they provide a simple story hook and a straightforward benchmark.  However, since the underlying issues, debates and measurements are necessarily complex, contested and contentious the headline achievements are only ever that – the headline. Reporting substantively on poverty, health, education and empowerment is as challenging as it ever was.
In 2010 it is hard to hear a shared narrative coming through. What is the story of success and failure that the “international community” wants to tell and what does the future hold? As the 2015 deadline approaches the Goals themselves are less compelling as a framing device and so the question is really what next?

Susan Alexander is Director of Operations at Inter Press Service (IPS).