Media must devote time for environmental issues - Project Leader

Kumasi, May 18, GNA – Mr Gustav Alexander Adu, Project Leader in-charge of Programmes and Technical Direction of the Kumasi Wood Cluster (KWC) has called on the media to give prominence to environmental issues.

He said the environment was an important component to the growth and survival of society so the media must highlight such issues with pictures, qualitative and frequent talk shows on radio and television as well as research and publication.

Mr Adu made the suggestion when he addressed a day's sensitisation workshop for community media personnel at Kumasi.

It was organised by KWC, a forest management and environmental protection advocacy organisation based in Kumasi and was aimed at exposing the participants to the dangers of deforestation, climate change and environmental degradation, as well as the need for public awareness in arresting the situation and creating a healthy environment in the country.

He said the country has a vibrant media which takes political issues very serious, but does not inform the public adequately on issues concerning natural resources and the environment.

“The media's expected role in the natural resources and environment sector, especially in forestry, has not been fully realised,” he stated.

Mr Adu said the media must devote part of its watchdog role to promoting responsible forest management by disseminating information on forest certification standards and good forest governance, as well as educating the public on forest policy and laws.

Quoting some statistics to buttress his point, he said in 2008 for instance, the media's focus on issues of politics, sports and the economy were 26, 24 and 8 percent respectively; while issues on natural resources and environment received a paltry one percent coverage.

He, therefore, urged the media to consider the importance of the environment to the growth and survival of society, and step up its coverage on issues pertaining to important components of human existence.

Mr Adu gave the assurance that his outfit will continue to collaborate and support the media in creating the needed public awareness on preserving and protecting the environment for posterity.

About 50 community media persons participated in the programme. They called for more of such exposures and collaborative efforts in addressing issues of environmental importance.

GNA