NAIROBI, KENYA — The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has emphasized the critical importance of human-centered storytelling in journalism, particularly when covering crucial issues like climate change.
During a media training forum held at Aga Khan University ahead of World Radio Day 2025, MCK CEO David Omwoyo stressed the need for journalists to go beyond mere data and statistics. By focusing on the human impact of climate change, journalists can effectively communicate the urgency of this global challenge and drive meaningful public engagement.
The forum, which specifically addressed climate change reporting, aimed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge to effectively convey the human cost of climate change to their audiences. By prioritizing human stories and highlighting the lived experiences of individuals and communities affected by climate change, journalists can play a crucial role in raising awareness, fostering public understanding, and ultimately driving action on this critical issue.
“Let us prioritize humanizing our news stories because it is important. Nobody cares about the story unless the story tell us how climate change has impacted people lives,” he said.
Echoing his sentiments MCK Director for Media Training and Development, Victor Bwire noted that most journalists have been focussing on data journalism alone ignoring the human element.
“There is a lot of too much data based journalism to a level where the voice of the people is missing in stories.We don’t want to loose touch with the people,” he said.
Bwire highlighted the significant challenges journalists face in effectively reporting on climate change, citing a lack of adequate training and limited access to resources as major obstacles. He urged news reporters to shift their focus away from solely emphasizing conflict and prioritize solution-based journalism, particularly when covering climate change-related stories.
By highlighting successful adaptation strategies, innovative solutions, and inspiring stories of resilience, journalists can empower communities and foster a sense of hope and agency in the face of this global challenge.
“Many editors perceive climate change as just international story thus they don’t prioritize climate change stories.Let us focus on more local reporting instead of using stories from Western Media agencies,” he stated.
Bwire emphasized the importance of “development journalism,” an approach that focuses on showcasing the social and economic progress of the nation. By highlighting positive developments and success stories, journalists can contribute to a more optimistic and constructive public discourse, fostering positive change within Kenyan society.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) actively supports this vision through its comprehensive training programs. These specialized programs cater to the diverse needs of media practitioners, covering critical areas such as health, business, governance, elections, public affairs, climate change, and environmental reporting.
These initiatives underscore MCK’s commitment to fostering a media environment that prioritizes human-centered reporting and ethical journalism. By equipping journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge, MCK aims to empower them to inform, inspire, and drive positive societal change through their work.
