New Narratives – Nurturing the next generation of environmental journalists
The future is not what it used to be. As a species and as a planet we are on an unsustainable path – and the direction ahead is not too clear either.
At Jive Media Africa, we’re passionate about solutions. But we also know that the really tough problems seldom come with solutions attached; or they wouldn’t be problems.
In fact, there’s a class of problems which seem to resist solution. These kinds of problems may never be fully resolvable because they involve complex dynamics, paradoxes and competing values. Attempting to solve any one part of the problem is likely to cause further unanticipated problems.
Such challenges have been collectively referred to as ‘wicked problems’. And many environmental challenges fit into this category.
Take wildlife crime for instance – a wicked problem due to its complex and interconnected nature; Ecologically, it threatens biodiversity and ecosystems. Socioeconomically, it perpetuates poverty undermining lives and livelihoods. Perpetrated by international networks and organised crime, it spans borders, posing challenges for law enforcement. Inconsistent laws and loopholes hinder legal responses.
With such complexity, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But just because a problem resists a solution, it doesn’t mean attempts shouldn’t be made to manage it.
As Albert Einstein famously stated: “The significant challenges we face, cannot be solved with the same kind of thinking that created them”. That’s why Jive Media Africa has teamed up with journalism training organisation Roving Reporters to pioneer a new framework for getting to grips with complex problems.
We need new perspectives and new approaches that shed light on the specifics of problems in their own context. Such new perspectives emerge from dialogic spaces, which bring together the best of science and creativity – and the Khetha 2024 Story Project provides just that. The Khetha ‘tripod’ approach arose from monthly coverage of the Tipping Points series by emerging environmental writers undergoing training with support from Roving Reporters and Jive Media Africa. Find out more here.
The Jive – Roving Reporters collaboration is centred around a webinar series entitled “Tipping points” by Jive and a parallel journalism training programme ‘New Narratives’ by Roving Reporters. In the webinars, a range of ‘experts’ join with public audiences to explore a particular topic. These webinars are then reported on by young journalists and early career researchers, who are mentored through the creative approaches that are needed to tell powerful stories for public audiences.
This innovative programme, currently supported by WWF-SA and Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, creates a platform for discussion and debate, and equips young young journalists and early-career scientists to delve into the complexities of topics from wildlife crime, to biodiversity conservation.
The multifaceted approach of the Khetha 2024 Story Project involving webinars, online training, and story grants, represents an effective training model to enhance media reporting on wildlife crime and conservation challenges in the Greater Kruger.
The establishment of the Khetha New Narratives ’24 reporting teams, comprising 18 emerging environmental writers, has also proven pivotal to the success of this training model. By providing training in feature writing and radio documentary production, participants in the programme are being guided from concept to final public dissemination, ensuring their stories highlight crucial human and wildlife interactions in ways often overlooked by mainstream media.
One participant of the programme said: “I come away from these programmes feeling even more empowered to use my writing to effect positive change. Whether it’s raising awareness about the social factors driving wildlife crime or showcasing the efforts of frontline communities, I’m confident my voice can make a difference.”
For those directly involved in conservation themselves, the structure allows for dialogue and reflection, and for raising awareness and understanding of critical, yet often complex issues –driving positive change in conservation efforts across southern Africa’s protected areas.
At Jive Media Africa we’re comfortable with complexity, and passionate about approaches to develop capacity to find the best paths forward.
