There is a dangerous and escalating pattern that threatens not only the freedom of the press but also our collective right to know about the environmental crises jeopardizing our planet’s survival. Between 2009 and 2023, over 749 journalists, outlets, and media groups reporting on environmental issues have been targeted globally.
In the last five years, we’ve seen a 42% spike in these attacks. This is a profound threat to the kind of journalism that keeps us informed about the ecological emergencies shaping our future. UNESCO report highlights growing risk for environmental journalism – IFJ. Nowhere is this issue more relevant than in Ghana, where journalists covering illegal mining, or galamsey, are facing increasing risks.
Why Environmental Reporting Has Become So Dangerous
In the act of reporting on illegal mining in Ghana, deforestation in the Amazon, or land-grabbing in Southeast Asia, environmental journalists expose powerful, often illicit activities. These reporters uncover environmental destruction; challenging entrenched power structures and exposing those who profit from it.
In Ghana, the situation is particularly perilous for journalists covering galamsey. The illicit mining activities that pollute major rivers like the River Pra have strong ties to local politicians and business interests. These connections make it exceedingly dangerous for journalists to report on the devastation caused by illegal mining. Erastus Asare Donkor, a Joy News journalist, received death threats in 2021 after reporting on the military’s role in protests against environmental destruction linked to galamsey (CIVICUS Monitor)(Reporters Without Borders ).
Globally, Investigative journalist Bram Ebus, for example, faced threats from armed police while documenting illegal mining in the Amazon. These incidents illustrate how covering environmental degradation is fraught with danger, as journalists challenge powerful economic and political interests.
Physical and Legal Threats as Weapons of Silence
Violence and legal intimidation have been frequently used in Ghana to silence journalists who expose environmental crimes. One of such cases is that of Abubakari Sadiq Gariba, a radio journalist who was attacked live on air in 2023. This shows how easily reporters can be targeted for speaking out(CIVICUS Monitor). Similar case is Pius Asiedu was assaulted by security officers while covering illegal mining activities(The Ghana Sentinel). These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of violence aimed at preventing journalists from revealing the truth about environmental degradation.
Journalists also face legal intimidation, with defamation lawsuits and criminal charges being common tools used to silence critical reporting. These tactics are designed to exhaust reporters emotionally and financially, making it nearly impossible to continue their work.
The Insidious Rise of Self-Censorship
The most dangerous consequence of this global trend is the rise of self-censorship among environmental journalists. Many journalists are simply choosing not to report on sensitive issues. According to a UNESCO and International Federation of Journalists survey, over 70% of environmental journalists reported being attacked, threatened, or pressured in some form, with nearly half admitting to practicing self-censorship(IFJ). This not only limits the public’s access to vital information but undermines the very function of the press in holding power to account.
When journalists shy away from covering critical issues like galamsey, the public remains uninformed about the true scale of environmental destruction. Rivers continue to be polluted, farmlands destroyed, and communities left to deal with the fallout, with little accountability for those responsible.
Why This Matters to All of Us
Environmental journalism is not just about documenting the destruction of ecosystems; it is about holding those in power accountable for the environmental crises they contribute to. In Ghana, where the impacts of galamsey are felt acutely, journalists play a crucial role in exposing the environmental and human toll of illegal mining. Without their work, the scale of destruction would remain hidden, and those responsible would face no consequences.
When environmental journalists are silenced, it is not just their voices that are lost. The world loses access to critical information about the crises threatening our planet. The fight against environmental destruction, particularly in countries like Ghana, depends on the ability of journalists to report freely and without fear.
What Needs to Be Done
To address the rising threats against journalists reporting on environmental issues such as illegal mining (galamsey), a coordinated response from governments, media organizations, and international bodies is crucial. Governments must prosecute those responsible for attacks against journalists, ensuring crimes are thoroughly investigated.
Institutions like the National Media Commission in Ghana need to take stronger action to safeguard reporters. Media outlets should prioritize the safety of their staff, offering protective equipment and training for those in high-risk areas. (The Ghana Sentinel)
Additionally, journalists facing defamation lawsuits or criminal charges require access to solid legal support, with organizations like UNESCO stepping in to provide aid. Strengthening press freedom laws and enforcing them is also vital to protecting the rights of journalists in Ghana and beyond. (Reporters Without Borders).
Environmental journalists play a critical role in exposing the activities that damage our natural resources. If they are silenced, the public loses access to important information that affects both local and global environmental challenges.
Ghana’s struggle against galamsey, with its devastating impact on water bodies and farmlands, highlights the crucial role that journalists play in holding the powerful accountable. Safeguarding these reporters is not just about defending freedom of the press—it’s about defending the future of the environment itself.
This article is sourced from: Press and planet in danger: safety of environmental journalists; trends, challenges and recommendations
