The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) will on Thursday, October 31, 2024, organise a webinar on the challenges of environmental activism and journalism in West Africa.
The webinar is being organised against the background of the shrinking civic space that is increasingly suppressing expression, activism and reporting about destructive environmental practices and lack of accountability in governance. The recession in democratic norms has weakened safeguards for human rights and civil liberties, including the right to protest or speak up against abuse of power.
As governments and corporations pursue profit-driven activities that harm the environment, the role of environmental activists and journalists has never been more critical. These defenders of the environment are often at the forefront, highlighting harmful practices, educating the public, and pushing for accountability and change.
However, their work frequently puts them in danger. They face threats, legal harassment and isolation aimed at silencing their voices. In many countries with weak legal protections and widespread corruption, environmental defenders face even greater risks to their personal safety. Sometimes, a whole community is condemned to silent suffering as powerful corporations and the national or local authorities collude to undertake activities that negatively impact the environment or local livelihoods.
Perpetrators, often influential people or people backed by powerful entities, are rarely held accountable, deepening the climate of impunity for crimes against environmentalists and victims of environmental destruction.
It is against this background that the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is organising a webinar on the theme:“Environmental Activism and Journalism in Hostile Environments: Risks, Resistance and Resilience.”
This webinar will bring together government officials, legal officers of environmental organisations, environmental activists and journalists, agro-ecologists and academics to discuss the challenges faced by environmental defenders and communities affected by environmentally disruptive activities. It will explore strategies for resilience and resistance, and make recommendations for effective protection for activists and support for victims environmentally-related violations.
Additional details about the Webinar are as follows:
Date: October 31, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM GMT
Platform: Online (via Zoom)
Register to participate here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vBCfD1GBSlqfeCOvQZXI3A
For more information contact Muheeb Saeed, Programme Manager, Freedom of Expression on muheed[@]mfwa.org.
