Environmental Journalism in Nigeria: Objectivity, Advocacy & Climate Change

What role should environmental journalists play when reporting on climate change?

In this 1:53 research brief, I share a key finding from our study, Communicating Climate Change in Africa: Role Perception and Role Shifting among Environmental Journalists in Nigeria.

Our Research Findings

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The study examines how Nigerian environmental journalists understand their professional roles and how they navigate the tension between journalistic objectivity and advocacy.

Our findings suggest that journalists do not necessarily see objectivity and advocacy as mutually exclusive. Instead, many navigate both roles in response to their perceived responsibility to society.

A Brief Insight into the Evolving Role

Journalism in the context of climate change communication is evolving rapidly. Our research shows that:

• Journalists see both objectivity and advocacy as legitimate roles
• Many journalists navigate both roles simultaneously
• Perceived responsibility to society drives role selection
• The African context shapes how journalists understand their professional duties

This research contributes to the growing body of work on climate change communication in the Global South, highlighting how context shapes professional role perceptions.

What Do You Think?

Can journalists balance objectivity and advocacy when reporting on climate change, or does one inevitably influence the other?

Curious to hear your perspective. Let's discuss in the comments below.