Science is not Grammar: 8 things every climate journalist should know!

Published by Eco Media on March 5, 2024

Climate change has become an integral part of media coverage, necessitating journalists’ involvement in reporting and writing about it.

The significance of climate change science underscores the importance of journalists in writing this information accurately.

However, similar to any subject, there are common mistakes and potential pitfalls that journalists in Ghana encounter when covering climate change.

Where only a few journalists attempt to tackle this subject, several of these errors are noticeable.

In the write-up below, I have tried to identify a few of them. Check below;

1. One prevalent mistake is the phenomenon of false balance, wherein journalists present both sides of the climate change debate as if they carry equal weight. Scientific consensus affirms that climate change is real and predominantly caused by human activities.

Thus, presenting a false balance can mislead audiences by implying more significant scientific disagreement than exists.

2. Some journalists in Ghana resort to exaggeration or sensationalization of climate change to capture attention.

This practice of embellishing facts or portraying worst-case scenarios without proper context can evoke fear and panic rather than informed action.

3. There’s a tendency to under-report solutions. In Ghana, climate reporters often focus solely on the negative aspects of climate change, leaving readers feeling overwhelmed and powerless.

This approach may stem from journalistic training that emphasizes reporting on effects rather than solutions.

Journalists should strive to highlight actionable solutions and success stories to inspire positive change, though limitations in Solution Journalism should also be acknowledged.

4. Attributing extreme weather events or natural disasters solely to climate change without considering other contributing factors such as land use changes or urbanization is common in Ghana.

It’s essential to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in attributing specific events to climate change.

Read: Experts cast doubt on Ghana’s Carbon Tax

5. Misinterpretation of scientific studies can lead to inaccurate or misleading reporting on climate change.

Journalists should critically evaluate the credibility and relevance of scientific research and consult multiple sources to ensure accurate representation.

6. Climate change is a multifaceted issue involving various interconnected factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, ocean acidification among others.

Oversimplifying these complexities can result in misunderstandings or misrepresentation of the issue. Check the facts and report accurately.

7. Many Ghanaian news editors do not fully grasp climate change issues, leading to a failure to identify mistakes in reporters’ write-ups or reports.

This can perpetuate the misconception that once a story is published by a certain media outlet, it is considered the truth, which is problematic. Good grammar differs from scientific facts.

8. Many journalists are unaware of these potential pitfalls, resulting in inaccurate, incomplete, and ineffective coverage of climate change. We must strive to rectify these issues to raise awareness and foster informed public discourse on this critical issue.

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By: Mahmud Muhammed Nurudeen, Founder, Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health & Agriculture.