Mainstream, social media must engage on climate change

Speakers on the first day of a dialogue on future challenges for journalism said its time for the coordination of main stream and social media to play a vital role on climate change issue.With participation of a group of academicians, experts and journalists from 22 countries, the dialogue was held at the Ocean Paradise hotel of Cox’s Bazar in a bid to determine due roles for facing climate change challenges.

Norway based Media Climate Network and Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University jointly organised the two-day dialogue.

The Norway Ambassador to Dhaka Ragne Birte Lund inaugurated the two-day long dialogue while Prof Akhter Sultana, Chairperson of Mass Communication and Journalism of the University of Dhaka, Co-chair of MediaClimate Network Prof Elisabeth Eide and its country representative and Associate Professor of DUMCJ  Mofizur Rahman spoke at the opening session of the programme.

Addressing the dialogue, Ragne Birte Lund said, “Mass media have to play further important role on the issue of climate change.”

The Norway envoy hoped that the dialogue may help to fix our responsibility for barrier reduction to build up awareness for fighting against climate change.

DUMCJ chairperson Prof Akhter Sultana said, “A group will not able to solve such big problems. Issues of climate change have to add university curriculum.”

She stressed on role of mass media over the issue after citing on importance of involvement of all walks of people of the society.

Besides, discussions are set to be held in different sessions on climate change in the programme. A book titled ‘Media Meets Climate: The Challenge for Global Journalism’ by Prof. Risto Kunelius of Pampare University of Finland and Prof. Elisabeth Eide will be launched during the program.

Oliver Hahn, Germany, Anna Roosvall, Sweden, Itrat Bashir Ahmad, Pakistan, Adrienne Russell, USA, Brigitta Isworo, Indonesia; Philip Chubb, Australia, Oni Sarwono, Stevie Emilia from Indonesia, Zarqa S. Ali, Pakistan, Anna Roosvall, Sweden, Risto Kunelius, Finland, Philip Chubb, Australia, UntungWidyanto, Indonesia, Caroline d’Essen, Brazil, Zarqa S. Ali, Tanvir Shahzad Pakistan, Dipesh Shrestha, Kriti Bhuju from Nepal , Lise Marit Kalstad,  Andreas Ytterstad, Erik Martiniussen, Atle Andersson, Kristin Skare Orgeret, Eivind Molde, Mari Hvattum from Norway are attending the conference.

From the department of Mass Communication and Journalism of DU its chairperson Prof Akhter Sultana, faculties Sabrina Sultana & Saiful Haque have joined the dialogue.

Farid Hossain, AP Bureau Chief in Dhaka, Mahmood Menon, Head of News of Banglanews24.com, Rahul Raha, Chief News Editor of Boishakhi TV, Farzana Rupa, Special Correspondent of Ekattor TV are also taking part in the dialogue.

The issues, being discussed in the sessions include, visualization of actual and future changes: a challenge to photojournalists, ‘Connecting the dots’: Climate change journalism as part of journalism on something else (energy, agriculture, extreme weather, etc.),  Climate science consensus and watchdog journalism: Can – and should – journalists be advocates for climate mitigation or other “climate friendly” action?, Mainstream media – Social media: differing experiences with climate journalism; Development aid and quota trade: saving the global climate?, Climate change and marginalization (gender, indigenous, underprivileged): How to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of societies? Covering political leadership and climate change, the way forward: How to reach out to people? The paradox of increased scientific consensus and public disagreement/political hesitation. Banglanews24.com

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