UJOSS President Urges Journalists to Intensify Climate Change Reporting

By Anak Dut Malual

The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) President, Oyet Patrick, has called on journalists to intensify reporting on climate change and environmental issues, saying the impacts of a changing climate are becoming increasingly visible across South Sudan and the wider African continent.

Speaking on Friday during a specialized media bootcamp on environmental degradation and climate adaptation, Oyet said climate change is no longer a distant issue but a reality affecting communities through floods, extreme heat and other environmental challenges.

He recalled discussions held during a regional meeting in Ethiopia last year, where participants focused on the growing effects of climate change and the need for increased documentation and reporting of environmental issues.

“The effects of climate change are real. We are seeing flooding in different parts of South Sudan and across Africa. We are also witnessing excessive heat and heat waves that sometimes force schools to close,” he said.

Oyet noted that South Sudan has experienced devastating floods in states such as Unity, Warrap and other parts of the country, underscoring the need for journalists to tell stories that highlight both the challenges and possible solutions facing affected communities.

He emphasized that environmental reporting is gaining importance globally, with many media organizations creating dedicated spaces for climate and environmental stories.

“Stories on the environment now matter. Many media houses have dedicated slots for environmental and climate change stories, which means there are opportunities for journalists to publish and share their work,” he said.

Oyet encouraged journalists to look beyond disaster reporting and focus on innovative solutions being implemented by communities.

He cited examples of people constructing buildings using recycled plastic bottles and others converting waste materials into alternative fuel sources as stories that deserve greater media attention.

According to Oyet, he has also been engaging with the Ministry of Environment to strengthen collaboration between journalists and government institutions.

He said the union had planned a meeting with ministry officials to discuss ways of improving access to environmental information and facilitating field visits for journalists to affected areas.

Oyet suggested that government institutions should support journalists in the same way some humanitarian agencies and ministries facilitate media visits to project sites and communities facing various challenges.

He further added that UJOSS would continue seeking support from development partners, including Oxfam and United Nations agencies working on environmental issues, to expand training opportunities for journalists.

Oyet also encouraged journalists to market their stories beyond South Sudan and explore opportunities with regional and international media organizations.

“Do not limit yourselves to media houses in South Sudan. We have many journalists with the potential to produce international stories. The important thing is to start and remain committed,” he said.

He advised journalists to remain resilient when pitching stories, noting that rejection is a normal part of the profession.

“You may pitch a story, and it gets rejected. Another may be accepted with conditions. You may be asked many questions, but do not give up. Be resilient and continue improving your work,” he said.

The remarks were made during the conclusion of the media bootcamp, where participants were encouraged to apply the skills acquired during the training to produce impactful stories on climate change, environmental degradation and community-driven solutions.