Nairobi, Kenya –African journalists have set out shared continental priorities to strengthen climate justice reporting and safeguard information integrity, following a landmark three-day workshop convened by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in Nairobi.
Held from December 18–20 under the theme “Strengthening the Capacity of Journalists and Their Unions for the Effective Realisation of Just Transition in Africa”, the gathering brought together journalist leaders and union representatives from across the continent, with support from Mondiaal FNV.
The workshop opened with a deep dive into the African realities of just transition, examining how climate change is already reshaping jobs, livelihoods, food security and public health. Participants stressed that journalism must place these impacts at the heart of coverage, warning that failure to explain climate policies clearly weakens accountability and leaves workers and communities more vulnerable.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, addressed the meeting virtually, underscoring the indispensable role of professional journalism in protecting the integrity of the global information ecosystem. “At a time of widespread misinformation and growing public distrust, credible and ethical journalism is central to sustaining informed societies and effective climate action,” she said, urging African journalists to advance solutions-oriented reporting that informs, counters false narratives and supports constructive engagement.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman told participants that African journalists must rise to the moment. “We are not passive witnesses to the climate crisis but active actors in shaping public understanding and accountability,” he said. “Trust from workers and communities already bearing the impacts of climate change depends on journalism that explains how these decisions affect their lives in practical and honest terms.”
A core focus of the workshop was climate justice reporting through a labour lens, reflecting FAJ’s dual identity as both a journalist federation and a trade union organisation. Sessions explored how media could better highlight the role of unions in defending rights, securing decent work and advancing inclusive climate action. Participants agreed that linking climate action to wages, work and conditions makes just transition tangible rather than abstract.
Information integrity emerged as a central pillar of the discussions. Experts from the UN and UNESCO warned that climate misinformation and disinformation are undermining public participation and obstructing effective responses. They urged African journalists to safeguard the information space by upholding verification standards, strengthening media literacy and ensuring climate reporting remains evidence-based and transparent.
The workshop also spotlighted the growing risks faced by journalists covering environmental issues, with participants from all five regions of Africa sharing experiences of physical threats, digital harassment and legal pressure. Delegates reaffirmed that journalist safety is inseparable from the public’s right to know.
On the final day, participants adopted the Nairobi Declaration, consolidating FAJ’s commitment to climate justice, just transition and information integrity. The declaration outlines a coordinated roadmap for strengthening climate reporting across Africa and pledges collaboration with partners, including the United Nations, African Union and trade unions.
In a follow-up planning meeting, veteran Sierra Leonean journalist Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Immediate Past President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), was elected President of the FAJ Climate Justice Working Group. His appointment marks a key step in driving coordination and follow-up activities across the continent over the next year.
