- To Strengthen Media Capacity and Promote Inclusive Reporting
The media have been enjoined to strengthen their role in advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.
This was advocated for at a media-community dialogue on Renewable Energy Democracy, hosted by Connected Advocacy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The pivotal event had in attendance over 30 journalists, community leaders, and environmental advocates to discuss the role of local media in supporting Nigeria’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This gathering is part of the Journalists for Renewable Energy Project Nigeria, which seeks to empower local media to advocate for a just transition within the country’s extractive sector.
The primary objectives of the event were clear:
- Strengthening Media Capacity: Equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to effectively report on renewable energy access and its broader socio-economic and environmental impacts.
- Fostering Collaborations: Build strong partnerships between media outlets, NGOs, and community leaders to ensure that renewable energy advocacy reaches all corners of society, particularly vulnerable communities affected by fossil fuel extraction.
- Raising Public Awareness: Increase public understanding of renewable energy democracy, emphasizing the importance of including communities impacted by fossil fuel extraction in the energy reform process.
- Promoting Inclusive Reporting: Encourage media to spotlight not just the environmental benefits of renewable energy, but also the socio-economic opportunities and green job creation potential for vulnerable communities.
The dialogue also provided an opportunity for local journalists to not only enhance their capacity to report on energy reforms but also to engage with community leaders and policymakers to ensure that vulnerable communities, heavily impacted by oil, gas and coal extraction, are included in the ongoing transition to renewable energy.
Insights from the Opening Session
The opening address by Prince Israel Orekha, the convener of the event, highlighted the central role local media must play in Nigeria’s energy transition. Orekha emphasized that journalists should not only report on renewable energy issues but also advocate for change, ensuring the voices of vulnerable communities are at the forefront. He underscored the importance of collaboration between media professionals and community leaders in driving inclusive energy reforms.
Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (Bayelsa Chapter), shared valuable insights into how journalists can use storytelling to promote renewable energy solutions at the community level. He stressed the economic and environmental benefits of nature-based solutions, green skills, and jobs that could emerge from renewable energy projects, urging journalists to highlight these in their reporting.
Grace M. Orunieyefa, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (Bayelsa Chapter), also contributed by emphasizing the need for media to contextualize energy-related reports, ensuring that they reflect the realities of local communities. She reinforced the idea that renewable energy access is a key opportunity to drive economic development in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
Bridging Data and Narrative
Godson Jim-Dorgu, the key note speaker, elucidated on the importance of combining data-driven journalism with compelling storytelling to advocate for a just energy transition. Jim-Dorgu explained that journalists have the power to bridge narratives of affected communities with hard data to create compelling, evidence-based stories that can influence policy decisions and public opinion.
“The keynote session on “The Imperative of Storytelling and Data-Driven Journalism in Advocating for a Just Transition to Renewable Energy in the Niger Delta: Bridging Narratives and Data for Sustainable Change” by Godson Jim-Dorgu, provided a deep dive into the intersection of storytelling and data-driven journalism; making a compelling case for the power of stories in driving social change”
He introduced the concept of energy democracy, advocating for the inclusion of all communities, particularly those impacted by fossil fuel extraction, in the energy transition process. By incorporating data, Jim-Dorgu argued, journalists can create more nuanced narratives that resonate with both policymakers and the general public, supporting inclusive and sustainable energy reforms.
Crafting Practical Solutions
As part of the practical session, participants tackled key issues surrounding renewable energy access and the role of local media in promoting a just transition. The discussions highlighted the importance of authentic storytelling, ensuring that the experiences of communities directly affected by fossil fuel extraction are accurately represented in the media.
One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the power of social media in amplifying community voices. Participants agreed that platforms like Twitter and Facebook provide an invaluable space for local communities to share their experiences and advocate for change, bypassing traditional media channels that may not always represent their concerns.
Call to Action: Journalists as Advocates for Change
The convener, Prince Israel Orekha delivered an inspiring call to action, urging journalists to leverage their platforms to push for a just energy transition.
Orekha emphasized the potential of social media to reach younger audiences and spark meaningful conversations around renewable energy and climate justice.
He also encouraged journalists to collaborate not only with NGOs and policymakers but with each other, fostering a united front in advocating for energy reforms that prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities.
Moving Toward an Inclusive Energy Future
The Media-Community Dialogue on Renewable Energy Democracy was a significant step toward building a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria. By empowering local media with the knowledge and tools to report on renewable energy access, the event aimed to foster a more inclusive dialogue about Nigeria’s energy transition—one that includes the voices of the communities most affected by fossil fuel extraction.
The discussions at the event were not just about reporting on renewable energy; they were about shaping the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the tools and insights gained at the dialogue, journalists are now better equipped to advocate for a just transition that benefits everyone, particularly those in vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta and beyond.
Recommendations for Local Media
- Focus on Positive Impacts: Media outlets should highlight the social and economic benefits of renewable energy transitions, particularly in vulnerable communities.
- Strengthen Collaborations: Partnerships between media, NGOs, and community organizations should be expanded to ensure a unified voice advocating for a just energy transition.
- Leverage Social Media: Journalists should use social media platforms to amplify the stories of affected communities, share success stories, and drive public conversations on renewable energy.
- Continue Emphasizing Data-Driven Journalism: Journalists should continue to incorporate data into their reporting to ensure accuracy and provide evidence to support calls for sustainable energy solutions.
The dialogue, according to the conveners, marks the beginning of a broader movement, one that aims to ensure that Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy is just, inclusive, and benefits all Nigerians, especially those most affected by the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
The dialogue furthermore provided an opportunity for local journalists to not only enhance their capacity to report on energy reforms but also to engage with community leaders and policymakers to ensure that vulnerable communities, heavily impacted by oil, gas and coal extraction, are included in the ongoing transition to renewable energy.
