The Press Institute’s chief goal of this organisation is to improve and disseminate effective messages to the public and in turn, reduce threats to Mongolia’s environment.
In 2006 the Press Institute’s research team conducted an extensive research project on how Mongolian media cover environmental issues and solutions. The results show that only 1.7 percent of print media, 1.3 percent in television and radio are dedicated to key environmental issues. The majority of this coverage concentrated on natural disasters, emergency situations and the negative consequences on society and human life.
There are many reasons for this situation, however the main and most pressing one is the lack of knowledge and experineces of journalists in environmental issues.
The Press Insitute feels that a systematic and thorough education of journalists is essential to improve the quality and knowlede of information the public is receiving. Based on these goals, the Press Institute will establish a club which will function to educate journalists on key issues, encourage debate and publish well researched articles which clearly communicate scientific concepts to the public and encourage journalists to lobby editors to make environmental issues and solutions more confident in the media.
Club goals and activities
1. Advance journalists knowledge of environmental issues, laws, corporations, government involvement, solutions- so that they can be better informed and in turn, better inform the public.
2. Aid journalists to find a balance between development, economic modernisation, and the environment.
3. Provide training and workshops on issues and journalism, with government and non-government organisations in Mongolia as well as with trained, international environmental journalism experts.
4. Workshop journalists focusing on 5 major Mongolian-specific case studies – look at how it’s been covered in media, government legislation, laws, how they are passed in parliament, who are the key stakeholders, what’s being done to improve the situation/sustainable solutions. Such as air pollution, urban development, climate change, responsible mining development, water management.
5. Contribute to the development of local journalism. Staff from the Press Institute will travel to rural areas and conduct short workshops with key journalists to deliver effective training to public without access to internet and urban training services.
6. Field trips with journalist club members, improve coverage, knowledge and access to sources, reporting of issues, carrying out quality investigative work.
The Eco Journalism club is funded and directed by organisations who wish to improve the quality of journalism on key issues and in doing so, disseminate quality environmental news to the public.
Ministry of Environment
UNDP
WWF
Swiss Development Agency
GTZ
FAO
To become a sponsor or find more information about the Club:
Contact:
Gungidmaa, Head of Research and Training, gunjidmaag@yahoo.com |
